87 



For many exotic, deciduous, or evergreen Orchids with long 

 cylindrical pseudo-bulbs another system may be tried, as, for 

 example, with Dendrobium nobile and species of similar habit. Of 

 these, any pseudo-bulbs that have flowered but are not old or 

 shrivelled may be cut from the parent plant and laid lengthwise in 

 moss, secured to a block or in a pan, or cut into lengths of about 

 6 inches and inserted in pots of moss kept constantly damp. 

 Dendrobium nobile produces young plants from the nodes very readily 

 when treated in this way, and I have reared a dozen from one pseudo- 

 bulb ; but usually the plants are chiefly formed in the upper portion, 

 and are occasionally so produced without removing the pseudo-bulbs 

 from the old plant, while some prefer pegging them down round the 

 pot in which they are growing, though this is sometimes inconvenient. 

 Thunias are propagated by cuttings in the same way as mentioned 

 for Dendrobiums, bu" sand should be substituted for the moss. The 

 best time for such operations is early in the spring, as it gives the 

 young plants so obtained a better chance of becoming established 

 before winter, which in our climate tries them severely even with 

 the best care. When separated or potted singly water must be 

 supplied in small quantities until some progress is observed, when 

 they may be gradually accustomed to the treatment given to the 

 other plants. Vandas, Aerides, and others of similar habit can be 

 increased by taking off side breaks or the tops of the plants with a 

 few roots attached and potting them in moss, and when the former 

 become too tall they are occasionally reduced to more convenient size 

 in this way ; but they should receive very careful attention for 

 some time afterwards in shading and keeping them close. Cypripe- 

 diums are easily increased by division in the ordinary way, and 

 skilful growers do not hesitate to practise this with the most valuable 

 hybrids. 



What may be termed natural methods of propagation can be 

 taken advantage of with Orchids which produce young plants upon 

 their stems or pseudo-bulbs, like several Epidendrums ; others, as the 

 Phalsenopses, particularly P. Liiddemanniana, occasionally bear 

 plants on their flower stems or on their roots, as with P. Stuartiana ; 

 while others, like Calanthe vestita or the Pleiones, produce young 

 plants on their old pseudo- bulbs that can be separated and grown on 

 as advised. 



If the ordinary methods of propagation are slow, raising Orchids 

 from seed is a still slower process, and it cannot be recommended 

 except for those who are interested in obtaining hybrids. It requires 

 much patient waiting, constant attention, and perhaps after years of 

 this care some enemy may devour the plant ; it may die some hot day 

 from a little neg'ect in watering, or it may "damp off" in a dark 

 cold winter. Independent of these difficulties seed-bearing is 

 exceedingly weakening to Orchids ; a weak plant may be killed and 



