244 orchid-growbb's manual. 



continue a long time in perfection — qualities which proclaim 

 them to be plants of more than ordinary value. 



They all require the same kind of treatment, and an East 

 Indian heat, together with a good supply of water during their 

 growing season, for the various species are found in Java, 

 Borneo, Sumatra, in Manilla, and some few of them in the 

 Burmese territory, where the heat is high, a natural condition 

 which ought to be imitated under artificial circumstances as 

 nearly as possible. They are found growing on the branches 

 of trees in damp, moist places, and on bare rocks where, 

 during the rainy season, an immense quantity of water falls. 

 Nevertheless, they are of easy culture, and if properly attended 

 to are seldom out of order; but since they have no thick 

 fleshy pseudobulbs to support them, they require, in order to 

 gi'ow them to perfection, somewhat more care and attention 

 than the majority of this order. Thus, they need more 

 moistui-e at their roots during the growing season — in fact, 

 they should never be allowed to get dry, for if so, they are apt 

 to shrivel, and often lose their bottom leaves, which spoils 

 their appearance, the beauty of these plants consisting almost 

 as much in their having good foliage as good flowers. The 

 growing season is from March to the end of October, during 

 which time the temperature by day should range from 70° 

 to 75°, allowing it to rise to 80° or more by sun heat, pro- 

 vided the house be shaded. The night temperature should 

 range from 65° to 70° in March and April; afterwards it 

 may be allowed to rise a few degrees higher. During their 

 resting season, from the end of October to February, the tem- 

 peratm*e should range from 60"^ to 65° by night, and 65° by 

 day, or even a little more will not do any harm with sun 

 heat. In giving air, a little should be admitted close to the 

 hot water pipes, so that it may be warmed on entering the 

 house ; and some water should also be sprinkled about on 



