April 28. 1900 



HORTICULTURE. 



.".47 



Dendrobiums Wardianum and superbum Dearii 



These two handsome species 1 grow during the grow- 

 ing season in the same house, where the temperature 

 ranges from 60 degrees to 70 degrees at night, with a 

 rise of lo degrees or 15 degrees in day time. Den- 

 drobium superbum should be watered very carefully and 

 sparingly until the new growth is well rooted, otherwise 

 these are very apt to damp off. If the atmosphere in 

 the house is charged freely with moisture one thorough 

 watering every ten to fifteen days will be sufficient; on 

 bright sunny days they receive a light syringing early 

 in the morning. When the young growth is well rooted 

 the amount of water is increased and until the now 

 bulbs reach maturity, the plants arc watered every day. 

 From the time the now growth is fully developed very 

 little water is given until the following spring when 

 the flower buds are developing and new growth starts in. 



As soon as the new pseudo bulbs have finished the 

 plants are removed to cooler quarters exposed to full 

 sunshine; in this house the temperature is kepi at 58 

 degrees to 60 degrees at night and 70 degrees to 75 

 degrees in daytime with sun. 65 degrees without sun. 

 Here the plants remain until the flower buds are about 

 half developed when they are again removed into their 

 growing quarters. For want of room some plants were 

 left in the warm house all the year round, but they did 

 not flower noarlv as well as those removed to cooler 

 quarters. In such warm temperature the plants will 

 have to be watered too often to keep the bulbs from 

 shrivelling, and consequently they will not ripen up 

 so well. 



Dendrobinm Wardianum is treated similarly, except 

 that it receives more water and is rested in a cooler 

 house where the temperature is kept at 15 degrees to 50 

 degrees at night. While the flower buds are develop- 

 ing the plants are removed to the same house where T>. 

 superbum and most other dendrobiums arc resting. 

 When all the flowers are out. the plants are again 

 removed to the cool house when' they remain until 

 about the middle of March ; at that time they are placed 

 in the warmest house to complete their new growths. 



I find it most essential for all dendrobiums to use 



Dendrobii m superbum. 



Uppermost spray, Col. Dear's variety. 



as small pots or pan,- and as little potting material as 

 possible; this latter consists of osmunda fibre with a 

 little fresh sphagnum moss. 



Another dendrobium which does well under the same 

 treatment as given to |». superbum is D. Bensonianum. 



Dendrobium Wardianum. 



(In 4-incb pot.) 



Spring Flowering Dendrobiums 



Early-flowering dendrobiums will now be in their 

 full spring glory, and where a good eollection is culti- 

 vated, no richer floral feast could he desired. The fact 

 that such brilliant blooms appear on dry and sometimes 

 withered stems, quickens interest and enhances their 

 manv charms. When fully expanded, however, their 

 freely produced flowers, in most cases obscure the bar- 

 ren look- of the plants, and judiciously arranged amid 

 greenhouse plants ami ferns, or suspended, a choice 

 display may Ue had from March to May. 



A few general remarks are offered on a dozen 

 varieties which may he described as fairly representative 

 types of this beautiful section. The magnificent IV 

 Wardianum easily stands first as a popular favorite ; the 

 introduction in quantity of the Lowii and giganteum 

 types from Burmah at a cheap rate has given it a promi- 

 nent place among democratic flowers, and when an orchid 

 is in demand there is no better "button hole" flower. 



