AER1DES. 37 



water ; and to grow them in anything like perfection, the 

 climate in which they grow wild must be imitated as nearly 

 as possible. I find they succeed best with a good supply of 

 heat and moisture during their growing season, which is from 

 about March till the latter end of October. During that 

 time I keep the temperature, by day, from 70 to 75. It 

 may be allowed to rise to 80 and 85, or even higher will 

 not do any harm, provided the house is shaded from the rays 

 of the sun. The night temperature should range from 65 

 to 70 in March and April, and afterwards it may rise five 

 degrees higher. 



Some grow their Aerides in baskets made of wood, but 

 they may be grown in pots, a mode of culture successfully 

 followed by many of our Orchid growers, especially those 

 who exhibit ; for, when in pots, the plants are more easily 

 moved about. Another reason is, baskets soon decay ; but 

 if the plants are not required for exhibition, I should advise 

 some of the small growing kinds to be grown in baskets, 

 in which they have a fine appearance, especially if there is 

 room for suspending them, letting the roots grow out of the 

 basket. All the kinds will succeed well in this way. In 

 pots give good drainage about three parts full of small 

 potsherds mixed with moss and when the moss begins to 

 decay fresh should be given to keep all healthy. They all 

 do well on blocks of wood, but to grow them in perfection 

 they require care as regards moisture. In their native 

 country they are found growing on branches of trees. 

 Sphagnum moss and broken potsherds have proved the best 

 materials for filling baskets. They require frequent watering 

 at the roots during the growing season ; indeed they should 

 never be allowed to become dry, not even during their season 

 of rest, as they are liable to shrivel and lose their bottom 

 leaves. Aerides require but little repose, and the moss 

 should always be kept damp ; but during the dull months 

 of winter no water should be allowed to lodge on the leaves 



