THE FLOKAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 133 



TREATMENT OE OECHIDS. 



|0"W that the nature and the habits of Orchidaceous plants 

 are better known than they were some few years ago, 

 we have become acquainted with the conditions of their 

 growth in the countries where they are indigenous. 

 Here they are exposed to a dry season, during which 

 they are at rest ; and to a rainy season, when the heat is higher, and 

 the air moist nearly to saturation. And to grow orchids in any 

 perfection, their native climate must, to a certain extent, be imi- 

 tated, viz., they must have a period of rest in a dry and compara- 

 tively cool atmosphere, and during their growth and flowering they 

 should be exposed to a high moist atmosphere; but as they princi- 

 pally grow on the trunks and branches of trees, it is important that 

 they should be exposed to a free current of air, and also to the light. 

 This is essential, except in some few species, to prevent the plants 

 being exposed to the direct action of the sun's rays, which is apt to 

 scorch the leaves. The great heat and moisture is only necessary 

 during the time the plants are in vigorous growth, and this period 

 should be during spring and summer, the best periods of rest being 

 from about Xovember till February ; and it is the long period of 

 rest which predisposes the plant to blossom. Of course, the rules 

 as to the periods of growth and rest can only be stated in general 

 terms. There are certain kinds which do not stop growing, to some 

 extent, all the year round. And again, even of those which do go 

 to rest periodically, on the completion of their growth, it does not 

 always happen that the time of rest corresponds with that time at 

 which the largest numbers go to rest. 



When the growing season commences, raise the temperature of 

 the East India house to 65° by night and 70° by day. By sun 

 heat it may be allowed to range to 75°, and as the days lengthen, so 

 the temperature may be permitted to increase ; and during the 

 months of May. June, July, and August, it should range from 70° 

 to 75° by night, and from 75° to 80° by day, and by sun heat to 

 85°, or even 90°. This will not do any harm, provided the plants 

 are shaded from the direct rays of the sun. The Mexican house 

 should be 60° by night, and from 65 Q to 70° by day ; and as the 

 days lengthen, so the temperature may be allowed to increase, and 

 during the months of May, June, July, and August, the night heat 

 may range from 65 Q to 70°, and by day from 70° to 85°. Great 

 attention should at the same time be paid to the state of the 

 atmosphere, as regards moisture. At all times of the year this is of 

 much importance to the successful growth of the plants, for they 

 derive the greater part of their subsistence from the moisture in th 

 air, so that wherever auy plants are growing, the atmosphere should 

 be well supplied with moisture. This is obtained by pouring water 

 over the table;, walls, and paths of the house every morning and 

 afternoon, and by keeping the hot-water tanks full, which will cause 

 a nice gentle steam to rise, which is of especial value whilst the 

 plantB are in a vigorous state of growth, especially as regards the 



Miy. 



