162 ORCHID-GROWER*S MANUAL. 



grown in pots, with peat and good drainage ; others do best 

 on blocks of wood. Nearly all of them should be placed in 

 the East Indian house during their period of growth, as they 

 require a good supply of heat and moisture, with a liberal 

 quantity of water at the roots ; in fact, the moss or peat should 

 never be allowed to get dry while they are in vigorous growth. 

 After their growth is finished, allow them a good season of 

 rest by moving them into a cooler house ; and during the 

 time they are in a cool-house give them very little water, 

 only just enough to keep the stems from shrivelhng. This is 

 the only way to make them grow strong and flower freely. 

 When they begin to grow they should be moved back into 

 heat, and treated as described above. They generally begin 

 to gi'ow after their flowers have faded. 



The above remarks apply to the East Indian kinds ; there 

 are, however, man}'' of the Australian species which succeed 

 admirably in a cool-house ; but some few even from that con- 

 tinent enjoy the East Indian treatment during the season of 

 growth. When this is complete, they should be gradually 

 inured to a cooler temperature, and supplied with less water, 

 until it is entirely withheld ; after this remove them to the 

 open air for a few weeks towards the end of summer, which 

 will thoroughly ripen their just matured stems. They should, 

 however, be returned to the cool-house before any danger 

 from the external air is to be apprehended, and placed in a 

 gentle heat at the commencement of winter to start them into 

 flower if they are requu'ed to bloom during the dull months ; 

 but if not wanted before spring, keep them cool and dry all 

 winter. 



They are propagated in difi'erent waj^s : some of them form 

 plants on the old stems, which should be cut off and potted ; 

 some are propagated by cutting the old stems from the plants 

 after they have done blooming ; others are increased by 



