ORCHID COLLECTING STANDLEY 361 



150 species of orchids are reported for the United States and Can- 

 ada. Contrary to popular belief, orchids of temperate regions prob- 

 ably average quite as showy as those of the tropics. Few of the 

 latter are more attractive than some of our northern species of 

 Cypripedium or lady's-slipper. 



It must not be assumed that all epiphytic plants are orchids, as is 

 sometimes carelessly done by residents in the Tropics, just as in cac- 

 tus regions all plants with spines are likely to be known popularly 

 as cactuses. In warm countries a great number of plants of many 

 widely separated groups assume the epiphytic habit. In tropical 

 America the most noteworthy of these, and those most frequently 

 referred to erroneously as orchids, are bromeliads, or plants of the 

 pineapple family, many of which have exceptionally showy flowers, 

 quite as ornamental as most orchids. 



In the Powell garden most of the plants, naturally, are epiphytes. 

 These are grown in baskets filled with sphagnum or upon blocks of 

 wood, suspended from overhead. There is also at one end of the 

 garden a large mango tree upon which a great variety of species 

 have taken root, affording a picture of natural conditions. In the 

 more sunny portion beds are provided for the terrestrial species, 

 which are represented in large numbers. Many epiphytic species, 

 too, prefer a good deal of sunshine, especially the larger, coarser 

 plants. For very small and delicate plants which come originally 

 from wet forests deep shade must be provided. Climatic conditions 

 are favorable in the Canal Zone for orchid cultivation, at least for 

 those species which occur naturally at low elevations. During the 

 summer or rainy season there is a plentiful supply of moisture, too 

 much at times. During the winter months, which constitute the 

 dry season, it is necessary to water the plants daily. Even at so low 

 an altitude, sea level, it has been found practicable to grow most of 

 the montane species brought from the forests of Chiriqui, provided 

 good care is taken of them. There are, of course, insect enemies to 

 be fought — cockroaches, which eat the tender flower buds, and other 

 similar pests that visit the garden, especially at night, and some- 

 times ruin the blossoms of the most cherished plants whose flowers 

 have been awaited for years. Birds sometimes cause equal harm. 



Almost all the orchids known to occur in the whole Republic of 

 Panama may be seen and studied in this garden under the most 

 favorable conditions. For the past ten years Mr. Powell, very often 

 in company^ with Mr. A. A. Hunter, has conducted systematic ex- 

 ploration in many parts of the country, visiting distant localities, 

 especially the high mountains of Chiriqui. Sometimes the plants are 

 found in full flower in the field, but more often they are not. The 

 living plants are then brought to the garden, where they are care- 

 fully tended until they flower, when specimens can be made for study 



