28 ORCHIDS. 



prolific in Orchids are Oaxaca, Honduras, and Guate- 

 mala ; they are also plenty upon the Isthmus. 



The conditions of Orchid growth can thus be easily 

 stated. In their native countries they are exposed to a 

 dry season, during which they rest, and to a rainy season, 

 when the heat is higher and the air moist nearly to satura- 

 tion. To grow Orchids in any perfection, their native 

 climate must, to a certain extent, be imitated ; that is, 

 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 tempera- 

 ture. As Orchids principally 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. 

 The plants should not, however, be exposed directly to 

 the sun's rays, which are apt to scorch the leaves and 

 wither the flowers, and some species require constant 

 shade. 



The great heat and moisture are only necessary while 

 the plants are in vigorous growth, and this period should 

 be during spring and summer, the best period of rest 

 being from November till March. It should be under- 

 stood that it is this long season of rest which predisposes 

 the plant to blossom. Of course these rules of growth 

 and rest can only be stated in general terms. There are 

 certain kinds which grow uninterruptedly throughout the 

 year. And again, even of those which go to rest periodi- 

 cally on the completion of their growth, it does not 

 always happen that their time of rest corresponds with 

 that of the largest number. As we come in course to 

 mention the different species, their proper time of rest, 

 if peculiar, will be indicated. 



