10 ORCIIIUS : HOW TO GROW TIIEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



advantageous to buy strong newly imported or semi-establislied 

 plants, carefully selecting those in a fine healthy condition. Fig. 5 

 {see page 25) represents an established plant, in a 5-ineh pot, of 

 D. nobile, having four leads, 5/- being a fair value of such a 

 plant. Fig. 6 [see pacje 31) represents an imported plant of 

 D. Wardianuin, with two leads, and should be bought for 4/- In 

 bujdng Dendrobiums they should have two or three pseudo bulbs 

 disconnected at the rhizome, in addition to the one last made, each 

 pseudo bulb counting as one leading growth. Dendrobiums do not 

 really depend upon the old pseudo bulbs froiu which to draw 

 nourishment so much as some Orchids, they may therefore be cut 

 away from the base of the plant if it is advisable to propagate and 

 increase the variety [see Notes on Propagation, iKUje 39), leaving 

 four pseudo bulbs to feed the forthcoming growth. 



ODONTOGLOSSUMS AND ONCIDIUMS. 



These lovely and interesting genera of Orchids are general 

 favourites, owing no doubt to the fact that, in addition to their 

 beauty, the greater part of them can be grown successfully under 

 cool treatment, and on that account are not so expensive to cultivate 

 as those requiring more v/armth. A large collection of these 

 charming and useful Orchids could be got together, all of which 

 Vv^ould flourish under exactly the same conditions, and thus one 

 house v^ould, if properly managed, furnish the year round a good 

 supply of the most lovely flov/ers imaginable. The great beauty 

 and exceptionally meritorious character each individual species 

 possesses, would fill volumes if full justice were done them. I 

 propose to say but little in this direction, as it is a subject really 

 of no aid to cultivation. I omit, likev/ise, that long botanical 

 description of pseudo bulbs, foliage, and flowers, which tend rather 

 to confuse than to assist the beginner. In these days the general 

 beauty and interesting character of Orchids are freely written about 

 in various books and magazines, independently of the gardening 

 press, but to read of the special qualities of a flower is one thing, 

 and to grov/ that flower is another ; therefore, I devote my space 

 chiefly to cultural directions, so that amateurs may be in a position 

 to produce the flowers and see for themselves. Most of these cool 

 growing Odontoglossums and Oncidiums are very cheap and 

 exceedingly beautiful. Odont. Alexandrse and Odont. Pcscatorei, 



