OllCHIDS: HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 9 



those with H hiif^cr number of k-ading slioots, as they are more 

 easily managed. Fig. .'i {»et' jxif/r 11) represents a newly imported 

 plant showing the leading i)seudo bull) and the back pseudo bulbs. 

 Fig. 4 {.sfr ji(t<i»' 17) shows a semi-established plant with two leading 

 growths and back pseudo bulbs. The back bulbs, after floweiing, 

 are of no further use for bloondng again, but sei"ve as resei-voirs for 

 th(; plants, by stoiing up nutiiment duiing the summer or gi'owing 

 season for the use of the plant during its blooming period, so that 

 th(! old pseudo bulbs, apparently of no use to the inexperienced in 

 Orchid culture, ar(> still a part of the plant and continue for years 

 to render assistancK^ to it. I have, however, invariably foimd that 

 they are of very little use after the fifth year, and when the plants 

 are repotted they may be removed from their position, but not 

 thrown away, so as to enable any dormant eyes to jjush into other 

 heading growths. In the case of Oncidiums or Odontoglossums, 

 the old pseudo bulbs should remain until they tuna yellow and die. 

 In buying plants of Cattleyas, the last fully-developed bulbs 

 should be supported by at least three or four back ones, to give 

 strength and nouiishment to the new gi-owth. I have quoted 

 prices as a guide to beginners as to what class of plants to buy, 

 these prices being generally considered to be fair to the buyer and 

 seller ; although, when imjiorted plants arrive in good condition, 

 they may sometimes be purchased from the importer or at auction 

 sales at a lower price. 



DENDROBIUMS. 



In buying such usefid and beautifid species of Dendrobiums as 

 nobile, Wardianum, and others, prices vary as in Cattleyas, and are 

 ruled by the quantity of plants coming forward. D. nobile is one 

 of the oldest species, and yet one of the veiy best and easiest 

 grown, and it is so very floriferous. It is, ho weaver, advisable to 

 buy established plants, as it is alvrays cheap, and blooms are formed 

 on the pre\aous year's growth. It often happens that the old 

 growths (m imported plants become injured to some extent in 

 transit, which prevents their flowering well, and two years will 

 elapse before nuich bloom can be expected. Nearly all other 

 Dendrobiums, which are not garden hybrids, may be purchased 

 either newly imported or as established plants, but in the case of 

 D. Wardianum. D. crussinode, and D. Dovonianum, it is decidedly 



