ORCHIDS 



ORCHIDS 



2401 



by proper ventilation and shading from the hot sun, to 

 prevent the escape of the atmosphere when it has been 

 secured. Most of the foregoing orchids are natives of 

 the tropical jungles where shade is ever present, and 

 exposure suddenly after a few dull weeks to the hot 

 rays of the sun under glass in early spring will do harm. 



2. The temperate division is the home of by far the 

 largest number of the cultivated orchids. A night heat 

 of 50 in winter as a minimum on extreme cold nights 

 will be better for the plants than a higher temperature. 

 It is well known that, after a period of severe cold, many 

 of the older leaves of cattleyas turn yellow and fall off, 

 a sign of the stress to which they have been subjected. 

 In moderate weather, 55 will be better, especially if 

 plants are in bloom. In addition to the cattleyas, the 

 laelias, cymbidiums, sobralias, oncidiums, stanhopeas, 

 epidendrums, brassias, miltonias, catasetum, phaius, 

 the Mexican odontoglots, and East Indian dendrobes, 

 and many cypripedes, will thrive best in the temperate 

 house. If but one house or division is to be devoted to 

 orchids, this should be an intermediate one for the 

 reason that, with the exception of the purely tropical 

 species and the coolest Andean, the greatest number 

 can be cultivated therein by the careful utilization of 

 the various parts of the house for individuals that need 

 the warmer or cooler end or a little more shade, con- 

 ditions that are soon discovered by the observant cul- 

 tivator. The admission of fresh air when weather per- 

 mits is of the utmost importance. In summer the house 

 should have free air day and night from the first of 

 May until late September. It is the greatest factor in 

 building up the plants after the exhaustion of flowering. 

 At this time, watering should always be performed in 

 the late afternoon; and if watering is not necessary, 

 spray the plants overhead after each very hot day. In 

 winter, water is best given in the morning that the sur- 

 plus will dry off before night. 



3. A coolhouse is necessary for the Andean odonto- 

 glots, cqchliodas and their now numerous hybrids, the 

 sophronitis, disas, masdevallias, Coelogyne cristata, 

 Epidendrum vitellinum, lycastes, and a few other plants. 

 These are among the most charming of all orchids, the 

 odontoglots especially. Difficult as the odontoglots are 

 to manage, much success has been attained by care and 

 suitable structures, preferably with a north slope with 

 the shade of some other building to the south. Roller 

 shades on the coolhouse should be kept about 12 inches 

 above the glass roof to admit of a free circulation of 

 air beneath in hot weather, with ventilators at the top 

 and bottom near the pipes. Cool orchids require to be 

 kept moist all the time. There is no very marked period 

 of rest, as they are subject to heavy night dews where 

 they grow; but in the dull winter months, all the sun- 

 light must be admitted, as most of the active growth is 

 made in winter and early spring. These plants are a 

 real test of the skill of the grower. A few cool summers 

 build up the plants so they flower well and it has been 

 noticed that the best results are obtained in the cooler 

 parts of the country, or near the seashore. 



Further suggestions; propagation. 



Many genera in cultivation are seldom seen in col- 

 lections here, but a knowledge of their native habitat, 

 and especially the elevations at which they grow, must 

 be the clue to their needs in cultivation, together with 

 a study of their root-system. The roots that are white, 

 are aerial, and those that have root-hairs are terrestrial, 

 and being of the earth will best be treated as pot- 

 plants. 



Many species are easy of propagation by division, 

 and it is often advisable to divide plants rather than 

 grow them on into large specimens. The plants should 

 be kept in reasonable size. Propagation by means of 

 seeds is a slow process, and in many cases one cannot be 

 sure what will come true from seed. Even from well- 

 marked types there is always the possibility of rever- 



152 



sion. Especially is this the case with albino forms, so 

 many of which occur among imported specimens. 



Cultivation of leading genera of orchids. 



Acanthophippium. For culture, see Acanthophippium. 



Acineta. For culture, see Acineta. 



Ada. A small genus of few species with bright orange-colored 

 flowers that add color to the coolhouse among the odontoglots, 

 and require similar treatment. 



Aerides. True epiphytes that revel in a moist atmosphere in a 

 warmhouse with a winter minimum of 65. Very little potting 

 material is desirable, just enough to anchor the plants in the pots. 

 The roots made from the stems as the plants grow seem to gather 

 the needed nourishment, and care must be taken not to injure these 

 or check them, as they are very active, even in winter. Some of 

 the species are very fragrant, all are beautiful and last a long time 

 in bloom. A surfacing of moss should be added to a thin layer of 

 osmundine, and the drainage made up of large pieces of charcoal 

 and crocks. Basket-culture is often adopted, but it is hard to 

 re-basket without injuring the roots, but the old material may be 

 removed, the roots washed and new added each year until new 

 baskets are necessary by reason of decay. 



Aganisia. Warmhouse plants, needing little material about the 

 roots, and to be suspended near the roof glass with a maximum of 

 light but no direct sun in summer. 



Angrsecum. Culture as for Aerides. 



Anguloa. Culture as for Lycaste. 



Anoectochilus. Terrestrial tropical orchids with creeping root- 

 stems, foliage beautifully marked, the Malaccan name being 

 "written flower" owing to the marking resembling hieroglyphs, 

 done in many colors. These plants are best grown in the warmest 

 part of the structure, in a small frame or under bell-glasses to keep 

 the leaves unspotted and ensure uniform heat and moisture, but 

 some air must be given to guard against condensed moisture and 

 consequent drip. Difficult to import and not often seen in col- 

 lections. 



Ansettia. A tropical African genus of a few species growing on 

 trees, where there is a climate of abundant moisture during the 

 growing period, with a dry season of about half the year. Culture 

 in the warmhouse, witholoing water to ripen the growths well after 

 they are completed. 



Arachnanthe. Culture as for Aerides. 



Arpophyttum. A temperate house genus seldom seen in cultiva- 

 tion, coming from high altitudes in Mexico and Guatemala, best 

 grown in baskets, in shade and plenty of moisture. Culture same 

 as for Lycaste. 



Aspasia. Once considered as odontoglossums. There are about 

 eight known species, seldom cultivated, requiring treatment as for 

 odontoglots. 



Batemannia. Plants that are never at rest, needing a moist 

 tropical atmosphere, with no appreciable resting as water is needed 

 all the time. Very little material is needed at the roots, and this 

 kept in a sweet healthy condition by adding new material and the 

 removal of old portions. Red-spider must be kept away by fre- 

 quent washing of the foliage. 



Bifrenaria. Brazilian plants requiring treatment same as cat- 

 tleyas from that region, and a trifle warmer position than for those 

 from Colombia. 



Bletia and BletiUa. Cool terrestrial plants, but not hardy. Can 

 be grown in an ordinary greenhouse and kept dry in winter when 

 at rest, repotting in fresh material when growth begins in spring. 



Bollea. Culture as for Batemannia. 



Brassavola. Best known by reason of B. Digbyana, which is so 

 much used by the hybridist to put the fringed lip on cattleyas and 

 laelias, with which it can be combined readily. Of culture the same 

 as for cattleyas, slow to increase by division, but otherwise easy of 

 culture. 



Brassia. These are seldom seen in modern collections, but were 

 old-time favorites, growing and flowering freely in an ordinary 

 structure with no special care, and may well be associated with 

 the warm oncidiums as to potting and subsequent routine. 



Broughtonia. The only species known in cultivation here, B. 

 sanguined, is hard to cultivate for any long period. It is best 

 attempted on a portion of osmunda rhizome, with a little moss at 

 the roots, hung near the glass in the warmhouse. 



Bidbophyllum. Among these are the giants among orchids. Some 

 species attain huge size, require tropical treatment in a steaming 

 atmosphere during growth and the flowers when produced are 

 remarkable, though very seldom seen except in botanic gardens. 

 Some species are small and require to be grown on blocks of wood ; 

 increased by division. 



Calanthe. Deciduous bulbs that need rest after the flowers are 

 cut in midwinter, until there are signs of growth in spring, then 

 shaken out to be potted in turfy loam, a little well-decayed manure, 

 in pots or pans with good drainage. The warmest position or shelf 

 with shade will best suit calanthes. It might be said they will enjoy 

 a little fire heat every day in the year, with proper shade and 

 plenty of moisture. The long flower-scapes begin to develop in late 

 summer, and when these appear liquid nourishment must be given 

 frequently to grow large bulbs. The flower-scapes are long, last a 

 long time in perfection when cut, and as the flowers open, cooler 

 and drier treatment may be given. Increase is readily made by 

 means of the old bulbs that will often grow again, and these often 

 double in number each year. A valuable florists' orchid when its 

 culture is understood, and profitable to grow. 



Calopogon. For culture, see Calopogon. 



