The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



expenditure of time and trouble which would daunt 

 the most enthusiastic. 



We may still believe, then, as did our forefathers, 

 that orchids live mostly on " air," if that be under- 

 stood to mean gases and moisture. At the same 

 time the air must be fresh and brisk, for cool 

 genera especially. So important is this, that there 

 are country places, far from the smoke and pollution 

 of a town, where no great attention is paid to the 

 orchids, yet they thrive so well that experts re- 

 cognize plants forwarded from thence to the sale- 

 rooms by their appearance. The ideal situation 

 for an orchid-house is a breezy mountain-top. In 

 fact, I understand that more than one enterprising 

 cultivator among our foreign rivals is about to 

 remove his " growing establishment " to the highest 

 ground within reach, at a great expense. 



But if orchids love fresh air, it follows that they 

 cannot have too much of it. We were told formerly 

 that they dislike a draught. I am not sure that 

 I understand what was meant, but if it be a current 

 of fresh air from end to end of the house, those 

 counsellors are wrong. Day and night air should 

 be admitted through the bottom ventilators, unless 

 there be danger that frost will reach the plants. 

 From spring till late autumn both doors of my cool 

 house stand open all day, and they would stand 



4 



