WATER. 3 



/Saccolabiums, Vandas, Phalcenopsis, Dendrobiums, and many 

 others requiring a high temperature, with a considerable 

 degree of moisture. The Mexican Orchids, most of which 

 come from a cooler climate, not so saturated with water, of 

 course require less heat and moisture, but these should also 

 have a considerable degree of warmth during their growing 

 season. 



Water. 



This should be administered with great care, especially 

 in the case of plants just starting into growth, as, if watered 

 too profusely, the young shoots are apt to be affected by the 

 moisture of the house, and liable to what is termed damping 

 off; whilst, therefore, the shoots are young, only enough 

 of water should be given to keep the peat moist in which 

 the plants are grown. As they advance in growth, more may 

 be given ; and when the pseudo-bulbs are about half grown, 

 they may have a good supply at the roots. My practice is 

 to shut up the house in the spring of the year about three 

 o'clock ; and in May, June, July, August, and September I 

 shut it up about an hour later, when the heat of the sun is 

 on the decline. I then usually give a gentle syringing with 

 water as nearly as may be of the same temperature as that 

 of the house. In fine weather, the temperature from sun 

 heat will rise frequently as high as 95, or even more ; but I 

 have never experienced any injury from this, so long as the 

 house was saturated with moisture, in which case there is no 

 fear of injury to the plants. The house should be dried up 

 once a day, if possible, by means of ventilation. In syring- 

 ing, be careful not to wet the young shoots too much. The 

 syringe should be furnished with a fine rose, so as to cause 

 the water to fall on the plants in imitation of a gentle shower 

 of small rain ; but this syringing should only be done after 

 a hot summer's day. Those plants which are growing on 

 blocks of woods should be syringed twice a-day in the summer 



B 2 



