TREATMENT DURING THE TIME OF REST. 21 



to 55 by night, and from 55 to 60 by day ; this should 

 not be allowed to go below 50 at night. 



Rest is induced by lowering the temperature, and with- 

 holding water : during this season plants should only receive 

 sufficient water to keep them from shrivelling. There are, 

 however, some that will grow during the winter months, 

 as many of the Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, Phalaenopsis, 

 Zygopetalums, and similar kinds. These will require water 

 at the roots to keep them increasing, but care should be 

 taken not to wet the young shoots, for if they get wet 

 they are very apt to rot at this season of the year. Those 

 that are growing should be placed at the warmest end of 

 the house. 



Some Orchids are deciduous, losing their leaves after they 

 have finished their growth. To this class belong Cyrtopodiums, 

 Barkerias, Cycnoches, Phajus albus, some of the Dendrobiums, 

 Pleione maculata, Wallichiana, and many others. I always 

 place these so that they may have as much light and sun 

 during their season of rest as possible. This is the only 

 way to ripen their pseudo-bulbs, which causes them to grow 

 stronger and flower more freely. These plants require but 

 very little water when at rest. But when such plants as 

 Vandas, Angnecums, Aerides, Saccolabiums, and PhalsBnop- 

 sis are at rest, they should never be allowed to get too 

 dry at the roots : the moss should always be kept a little 

 damp ; for the stems and leaves are very apt to shrivel if 

 kept too dry, and this often causes them to lose their 

 bottom leaves ; and they require but a short season of rest. 

 Those which are growing on blocks will require more water 

 than those which are in pots or baskets, and they should 

 be watered about twice or three times a-week if the weather 

 be fine, but in dull weather they will not require it so 

 often. The water should be poured over the paths and 

 walks every fine morning, with a view to create a moist 

 atmosphere, but the moisture in the house must be regu- 



