64 ORCHIDS. 



Some orchids are deciduous, losing their leaves after 

 they have finished their growth. To this class belong 

 Cyrtopodiums, Barkerias, Cycnoches, Phajus albus, some 

 Dendrobhims, Ccelogyne maculata and Wallichiana, and 

 many others. These should be placed so they may have 

 as much light and air as possible, during their resting 

 season. In this way the bulbs are ripened, which causes 

 them to grow stronger, and to flower more freely. These 

 flowers require but very little water when at rest. But 

 when such plants as Vandas, Angrczcums, Aerides, Saccola- 

 biums, and Phalanopses, are at rest, they should never be 

 allowed to get too dry at the roots j the moss should al- 

 ways 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 ; 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 should be watered about twice or 

 three times a week if the weather is fine, but in cloudy 

 weather not so often. 



Water should be poured over the paths and walks 

 every fine morning, in order to create a moist atmosphere 

 in the house, but the degree of moisture must always be 

 regulated by the weather outside ; this is a most impor- 

 tant care ; if the weather is cloudy, the house should be 

 kept dry. 



During the resting season the glass and roof should al- 

 ways be perfectly clean, so that the plants may have 

 plenty of light and sun; you can hardly at this season 

 give too much. If awnings are used, they should be 

 rolled up the greater part of the day, and if the glass 

 has been painted or white-washed, it should be cleaned 



