GROWING SPECIMEN OKCHIDS FOR EXHIBITION. 71 



up the average results. This is what we did when we com- 

 menced Orchid culture. If this matter be made a study, and 

 it can be easily done with persevering observation, itwill.be 

 found that a much smaller number of specimens is necessary 

 than will otherwise be required in order to ensure a display. 



One chief point is often lost sight of, and that is giving 

 attention to the plants at the proper time. A plant, like 

 other things, if it does not get proper attention at, or as 

 nearly as possible to the right time, will not yield a satis- 

 factory result — neither can it be expected. If plants under 

 glass are not potted or planted, and if seeds in the garden are 

 not sown at the time they should be, they cannot be expected 

 to do well, or to come in at the required time. We state 

 these facts for the benefit of the cultivator. 



Plants, after being flowered and exhibited, will be found to 

 have exhausted much of their vigour, and consequently after 

 that period they require a good deal of attention. Some must 

 be started into growth, others require rest and to remain dor- 

 mant for a time before being again stimulated into growth. 

 Those that make the start should have all the encouragement 

 possible, in order to produce good, sound, healthy, vigorous 

 growths for the following year. Success very much depends 

 upon attention to this treatment, which is often overlooked 

 by cultivators, and the next year's flowering is consequently 

 often a failure. A few weeks lost in the growth of a plant 

 cannot be made up. Our seasons are so short that there 

 should be no time lost, especially as we get such a long 

 autumn and winter, during which we have very little light 

 and not much sun. The summer months ought to be made 

 full use of in ripening the pseudobulbs, which will cause the 

 growth to be vigorous and the flowering more successful ; 

 there will also be more leading bulbs and strong roots, which 

 are the results of good cultivation. 



