HYBRIDISING AND RAISING ORCHID SEEDLINGS. 



The Orchid Stud-Book would not be complete without a chapter on 

 hybridising and the raising of Orchid seedlings, and as the work will 

 doubtless appeal to beginners as well as to the expert hybridist, we will 

 commence with the most elementary details. 



Hybridising is one of the most fascinating phases of Orchid culture. 

 Every stage in the work is interesting — the pollination of the flower, the 

 development of the capsule, the sowing and germination of the seeds, and 

 the gradual development of the seedlings from the tiniest atom up to the 

 time when the scape pushes up and the flower at length unfolds. Few 

 Orchidists can resist the attempt to raise at least a few seedlings, but one 

 must be prepared for disappointments, and it is this particular stage of the 

 process which generally proves the most difficult. Once surmounted the 

 rest is easy, and the next difficulty may be that of finding the necessary 

 space for the plants as they approach the flowering stage. But we will not 

 anticipate. 



The Materials. — No elaborate preparations are necessary. Such 

 materials as are ready to hand will serve as a commencement, but it would 

 be well to begin with some easy subject, proceeding to more difficult ones 

 as experience is gained. A Cypripede or Cattleya is easily manipulated, 

 but an Epidendrum of the radicans group, though more troublesome to 

 cross, is an ideal subject in other respects, for the seedlings can be raised 

 almost with certainty, as they germinate quickly, and begin to flower when 

 under three 3'ears old. Two or three subjects might very well be tried 

 together for a commencement, using whatever subjects are available. Later 

 on a rigid selection of parents will be found desirable, but even at the outset 

 the best possible forms should be used. 



Method of Procedure. — Before commencing it is advisable that the 

 operator should thoroughly understand the floral structure, by pulling a few 

 flowers to pieces and identifying the pollen masses and stigma. In the 

 majority of Orchids the pollen masses will be found under a little case at the 

 apex of the column, and they may be easily removed with a pencil, a piece 

 of stick, or in some cases with a finger, by lifting the case gently but firmly 

 upwards and then withdrawing it, when the pollen masses will generally be 

 found adhering to it. In the case of a Cypripede two pollen masses will be 

 found — not enclosed in a case at the apex of the column — but one opposite 

 to each lateral opening at the base of the lip. The pollen is viscous, and is 

 easily removed with a pencil or piece of stick, but if the flower is to be 

 fertilised both the anthers should be cut clean away. The stigma is generally 



