THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



Feb. The Cypripediums or Ladies' Slippers are less 



15-28 brilliant than the Cattleyas, but equally popular. In- 

 signe (winter) is the best known species. It is not 

 a showy flower, but the colouring is harmonious 

 and pleasing. This species will thrive in a cold 

 house, and another that will succeed without a great 

 deal of heat is Spicerianum, which is an autumn 

 bloomer. 



The Dendrobiums are lovely Orchids, having flowers 

 of charming form and delightful colour. The best 

 known species is perhaps Nobile, but Wardianum runs 

 it close. Both bloom in mid-winter. 



The Odontoglossums are perhaps the most useful 

 of all to amateurs, especially Crispum, of which there 

 are numerous varieties, mostly with white or ivory- 

 coloured flowers, but spotted or splashed in varying 

 degrees with other colours. An imported collection 

 of Odontoglossum Crispum alone will afford the ama- 

 teur great interest and pleasure, as the flowers are of 

 exquisite beauty. 



When imported pieces are received it is wise to put 

 them in a warm house, and keep them moist, until they 

 show signs of growth. Setting them in damp crocks, 

 with which the pots may be two-thirds filled, suffices 

 to start them, but as soon as root and stem growth 

 begins to break, a layer of Sphagnum Moss should be laid 

 on the crocks, and covered with a mixture of Sphagnum 

 and peat, using about two-thirds peat and one-third 

 moss. If the mixture is kept moist, and a warm tem- 

 perature provided, the plants will progress rapidly. 

 Care must be taken to keep the plants firm, and this is 

 best done by placing a stake in the crocks, and fixing 

 it securely, so that it will keep the plants steady when 

 tied to it. 



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