Frankly, I believe more damage is done to Cattleyas by underwatering and ill- 
timed watering than by excess watering. But this is not to be interpreted to 
mean that I think overabundant watering to be harmless. 
NATURE OF HOUSE. 
The ideal method of growing orchids would be to have a large series of houses, 
giving a different set of conditions suitable for all the shades of variation 
desirable for the perfect treatment of different types of orchidaceous plants. In 
England and America, where the cultivation of orchids is mostly confined to 
persons of wealth, something of this nature is often carried out; but where, as in 
Australia, a very large number of people with quite small incomes undertake the 
growing of these plants, most growers find it beyond their means to provide such 
gradations of their growing conditions, and, indeed, in the wonderful climate of 
Queensland, it is by no means necessary to do so. An ordinary bushhouse without 
any glass whatsoever is all that is required for many genera of outstanding beauty, 
and, further, quite a number of orchid plants do exceedingly well without any 
house at all. I have seen quite a large, healthy, Cattleya species growing on blocks 
nailed to a tree in Brisbane itself, and these plants have been grown in this way 
for years, and flower in due season. 
However, it is desirable for orchid cultivators to have at least two houses—one 
an ordinary open roofed bushhouse, and the other a glass-roofed house. A heated 
house is an additional advantage, which is essential for growing certain members 
of the orchid family, and is a great help in the growing of other members. In 
Brisbane and the North a heated house is not necessary for the growing of Catt- 
leyas. Several of the best species are actually cool loving plants. The houses pro- 
vided for their Cattleyas by orchid growers vary very considerably, and on this 
variation depends the amount and frequency of watering necessary. As a general 
rule a Cattleya needs a resting period, when water is applied only in sufficient quan- 
tities to maintain the plant in health, and a growing period, when it needs fre- 
quent and copious waterings. If a Cattleya house is so built and furnished that 
the atmosphere remains in a reasonably moist condition, it is obvious that the 
extra water applied must be less than when the house is of a dry nature. Prob- 
ably the best means of promoting a moist atmosphere is to have a fish pond in 
the centre, and have a thick covering of ashes on the floor and on the benches, 
and keep these ashes in a wet condition; or have a fine spray or fountain which 
can be turned on whenever necessary. Where these conditions cannot be given, 
resort must be had to applied water. 
An open bushhouse in which there is a constant circulation of fresh air dries out 
quickly, and consequently in the Summer season plants grown in such a bush- 
house can be safely watered thoroughly every morning. When the bushhouse is 
closely covered and boarded at the sides, however, there will not be the same rapid 
evaporation, and therefore watering must be done less frequently. Heavy water- 
ing in a stale, lightless bushhouse will be fatal. 
A completely closed-in glasshouse with a cinder floor and benches will conserve 
moisture much longer than a house with concrete or asphalt or wooden floors and 
bare benches. 
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