The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



date ; but permission is still required, nominally at 

 least, to dig up the tubers. 



It may be asserted that those who have failed 

 to grow Disa grandiflora tolerably well in the 

 Odontoglossum house for many try it in frames 

 or out-of-doors, which is necessarily hazardous, 

 though most effective when it succeeds gave too 

 little air, or too little water, or too much sun. 

 Perhaps they neglected to keep due watch for 

 red spider. The watering these plants require 

 when in full growth is so constant that the most 

 judicious gardener would not think of giving them 

 enough unless warned. We trace the influence of 

 the heavy clouds which travellers report on Table 

 Mountain in this unquenchable thirst. They begin 

 to grow in late winter. In March the pot must be 

 soaked once a day ; in April, twice ; when the 

 hot weather sets in, three times, unless the sky be 

 very dark ; on a sunny day of June, when the 

 buds begin to show, even this will not be enough 

 they take four daily waterings with gratitude. 



Those who observe Disa grandiflora will not 

 readily be convinced that spontaneous generation 

 is impossible. Though red spider is not fond of 

 the cool house, though it never gave trouble before, 

 so soon as one of these plants is introduced, it 

 makes its appearance, unless the syringe be used 



102 



