COOL TREATMENT OF ORCHIDS. 105 



to a summer maximum of 95 , is not the temperature 

 suited to the well-being of a single known example of 

 Odontoglossum or Lycaste. A Cattleya house, ranging 

 from a minimum of 55 to a maximum of 85, is not ex- 

 actly suited to either of the plants named, though such 

 species as O. grande, ritrosmum, Bictonense, Phalcznopsis, 

 and nebulosum, will live and remain tolerably healthy 

 under such a temperature, if accompanied with a proper 

 degree of moisture. In fact, for such a collection and 

 for such plants as Epidendrum vitellinum, Ly castes of all 

 kinds, Lcelia cinnabarina, anceps, andflava, Cattleya Skin- 

 neri and citrina, Trichopelias and Anguloas of all sorts, 

 and many plants of kindred nature, a minimum of 43 

 and a maximum of 70 to 75 during the heat of summer, 

 are of all temperatures best suited to the plants. Lower 

 than 40 (except in a collection composed entirely of 

 Odontoglossum Pescatorei, cordatum, membranaceum, Ehren- 

 bergii, and Cervantesii, which will bear 35) it had better 

 never be, even in very cold weather, and some care must 

 be taken to keep the plants during that time in a medium 

 state of moisture. Higher than 50 at night during the 

 dead of winter is not a good practice, although the house 

 may be allowed to rise to such a height during the day, 

 before giving air. Plenty of fresh air is of great impor- 

 tance during the summer and autumn, to consolidate the 

 pseudo-bulbs and encourage free flowering. It must be 

 borne in mind and carried out in practice, that in order 

 to promote the health of the plants the temperature in 

 doors must rise and fall with the temperature out of 

 doors. A good proportion is from 5 to 8 during night, 

 and from 8 to 12 during the day. 



The plants themselves may be grown either on blocks, 



