IN FLORIDA 71 



trunk of a tree at the side of where the Orchid is to be placed 

 Put a thin layer of sphagnum on each side of the mass of roots, 

 which have been previously flattened ; place the roots against the 

 tree close to where the strip is fastened; draw the strip tightly 

 across the roots and nail on the other side of them. If the plant 

 is large it will be necessary to put two or more strips across, some- 

 times in several directions; at any rate bind it firmly and neatly 

 to the tree, taking care that the collar of the plant is not choked. 

 This fastening will admit air to the roots and will not look un- 

 sightly. Water well and if possible repeat the watering at least 

 once a week during dry weather until the Orchid is established. 



They may be planted at any time of the year but I prefer to 

 put them on the trees just before the commencement of the rainy 

 season. If one has irrigation it makes little difference. Do not 

 put them on trees whose bark scales off. The live oak which 

 grows generally throughout Florida is an ideal tree for this pur- 

 pose as it has rough bark which never comes off and the roots 

 seem to revel in its crevices. The red bay is another good tree 

 for this purpose. An upright trunk four or five feet above the 

 ground is a good place and elevation. 



I have had best success with good sized plants; small speci- 

 mens are liable to dry out and die. Most Orchids are very slow 

 growers ; often only a single leader is sent up in a year even under 

 favorable circumstances, unless the plant is large. In some 

 cases they produce fertile seed but it is excessively minute and 

 difficult to make grow. One may scatter such seed on mossy, 

 leaning trees in a damp hammock and rarely grow a plant. Even 

 when he succeeds it will take from four to eight years for it to 

 bloom. Roots are sometimes thrown off from leaders and in 

 such cases the latter may be carefully cut off below the roots 

 and made to grow, preferably in pots of peaty soil at first, in a 

 close damp slat house. In the north growers are largely depend- 

 ent on plants which are imported from their native countries 

 where some species are now almost exterminated. 



A few words regarding enemies and insects may not be out of 

 place. There is a native wood rat which at times does great 

 damage to Orchids planted on trees, working them loose and 

 often eating them. Something may be done in the way of put- 



