24 okchid-geower's manual. 



ORCHID TREATMENT DURING GROWTH. 



|E have in our Orchid houses plants from localities 

 which vary much in every respect ; some of them, 

 moreover, produce their flowers early in spring, 



in summer, and others again during the dull days of 

 It will therefore he readily understood that the 

 period of starting into growth should vary also ; but as for 

 convenience sake we rest our Orchids in winter, the majority 

 will begin to push up their young shoots as soon as the days 

 lengthen and the sun gains increased power. This being the 

 case, when the growing season commences, the temperature 

 of the East Indian house — the house in which the greatest 

 heat is maintained — should be increased to 65° by night and 

 70° by day, while by sun-heat it may be allowed to range up 

 to 75°. As the days lengthen, so the temperature may be 

 permitted to increase ; and during the months of May, 

 June, July, and August, it should range from 70° to 75° by 

 night, and from 75° to 80° by day, or by sun-heat up to 85°, 

 or even 90°, which will not do any harm, provided the plants 

 are shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Great attention 

 should, at the same time, be paid to the state of the atmos- 

 phere, as regards moisture. At all times of the year this is 

 of much importance to the successful growth of the plants, 

 since they derive the greater part of their subsistence from 

 moisture in the air. Wherever, therefore, any of these 

 plants are growing, the atmosphere should be well supplied 

 with moisture, which is obtained by pouring water over 

 the tables, walls, and paths of the house every morning 

 and afternoon ; this causes a nice moist heat to rise, which 

 is of great value whilst the plants are in a vigorous state of 



