2402 



ORCHIDS 



ORCHIDS 



Camarotis. Culture as for Aerides and Vanda. 

 Catasetum. Curious and beautiful orchids from Central America, 

 that often have the two sexes in different individual plants, a fact 

 that was long a puzzle to botanists, and the peculiar structure of the 

 flowers makes the plants very interesting. The culture is not easy in 

 gardens; plants usually dwindle after a few years, but plenty of heat 

 and light when in growth, with a long resting-period between, is 

 necessary, and growth is best when the plants are suspended from 

 the roof. 



Cattleya. The most popular and best known of the orchids grown 

 for cut-flowers, with few exceptions. Best grown in the interme- 

 diate house. For culture, see Cattleya. 



Chysis. Culture as for Vanda. 



Cirrhopetalum. For culture, see Cirrhopetalum. 



Cleisostoma. Culture as for Aerides. 



CoMioda. A genus much prized by hybridizers of late for the 

 color it imparts to the odontoglossums, the hybrids of which are 

 now known as Odontioda and form a pretty rose-colored series of 

 cool orchids, very popular where they thrive. Treatment same as 

 for odontoglossums. 



Ccelia. Culture as for Epidendrum. 



Coelogyne. Terrestrial orchids, both temperate, as C. cristata, and 

 tropical, as C. Massangeana and C. pandurata. Species like the 

 last two need basket culture suspended, as their flower-spikes are 

 dependent. The well-known C. cristata will do well in a coolhouse 

 when at rest before flowering, soil containing a portion of earth, 

 and liquid manure during growth is necessary to produce strong 

 flowering growth, increased by division directly after flowering 

 period. 



Cplax. Culture as for Lycaste and Zygopetalum, in an inter- 

 mediate house. 



Comparettia. Culture as for Broughtonia, but in an intermediate 

 house. 



Coryanthes. Culture as for Stanhopea. 



Cycnoches. Curious Central American plants, often called the 

 "swan's-neck orchid," requiring treatment identical with that of 

 dendrobium, and well-marked resting-period after growth is 

 completed. 



Cymbidium. Decorative evergreen tall-growing plants that have 

 many flowers of long duration. All are from the East Indies, but 

 do well in an intermediate and even a cool house in winter. They 

 als6 do well when planted out among rockwork in large structures, 

 and the hybridist has added very many fine plants that go to make 

 up the collection in gardens. A soil with loam added and manure- 

 water added frequently when the plants are growing or rootbound 

 will induce strong growth. The plants are impatient of disturbance 

 at the roots, but if carefully done they may be increased by division. 

 Seeds germinate freely. For further cultivation see Cymbidium. 



Cynorchis. Terrestrial plants from Madagascar and Natal. 

 Culture same as for Bletia, repotting in fresh material in spring. 



Cyperorchis. Culture as for Cymbidium, to which genus they 

 are sometimes referred botanically. 



Cypripedium. Terrestrial orchids, although sometimes growing 

 on rocks with little humus about the roots, including tropical or 

 warmhouse plants (n9w referred to Paphiopedilum), these being 

 often with mottled foliage; intermediate house plants as Paphioped- 

 ilum insigne and its many hybrids, and the hardy species, always 

 deciduous and widely distributed. Cypripediums are herbaceous, 

 having no pseudobulbs, and should never lack for moisture or be 

 overpotted. Propagation by division or seeds, which germinate 

 freely. Albino forms have been reproduced by seeds, to a large 

 degree true to the parent plant; also specially fine varieties. 



Cyrtopodium. Culture same as for Cycnoches, repotting in 

 spring; carefully shade the young foliage until mature. Flowers are 

 produced with the commencement of young growth in spring. 

 Avoid spraying over young growths, as water lodging often induces 

 decay unless the house is well ventilated and the day bright. 



Dendrobium. For culture, see Dendrobium. 



Diacrium. Culture as for Epidendrum and Cattleya. 



Disa grandiflora. An orchid from Table Mountain, is now pro- 

 tected by the state, owing to its scarcity due to collectors, is 'a 

 very beautiful plant when in btoom, but it is doubtful whether it 

 has ever been cultivated here with success, though not difficult to 

 handle in European gardens, where it is easily raised from seeds 

 and by division. It is strictly terrestrial, but seems unable to bear 

 heat. There are several other species and many hybrids from these, 

 but none seems amenable here. 



Epidendrum. A genus of very much varied plants, some being 

 stem-rooting and without bulbs, and these require all the sun to 

 flower freely; others have pseudobulbs, are easy of culture and do 

 well in the intermediate house, with treatment same as for cattleya. 

 For further culture, see Epidendrum. 



Eriopsis. Culture as for Lycaste, in shallow baskets suspended in 

 an intermediate or cattleya house. Repot when growth commences, 

 with great care, as the plants are impatient of root-disturbance. 

 E. rutidobulbon is the best known species, but it is very rare even 

 in its native Antioquia. 



Eulophia. Culture as for Calanthe. 



Galeandra. Culture as for Calanthe. 



Gpmesa. Culture same as for Broughtonia. A Brazilian genus, 

 species of which are rarely seen in cultivation, being largely of inter- 

 est in a botanical way. 



Gongora. Requires to be grown in baskets suspended, as the 

 flower-spikes are produced from the base of the plant downward. 

 No obstruction by way of drainage should be allowed to hinder 

 these. An intermediate treatment, with less water when resting will 



suit the plants. They are seldom seen, as the flowers have no bright 

 coloring to attract, though some are very fragrant. 



Grammangis. For culture, see Grammangis. 



Grammatophyllum. For culture, see Grammatophyllum. 



Habenaria. Both tropical and temperate species are included. 

 The plants are always deciduous and the warm species need resting 

 until new growth commences, then careful repotting in new 



land. 



Hasmaria. For culture, see Hsemaria. 



Hartwegia. Rarely seen. Culture as for Gomesa. 



Houlettia. Culture same as for Stanhopea, in intermediate h ouse, 

 kept rather dry in winter, using baskets. 



Huntleya. Culture as for Batemannia. 



lonopsis. For culture, see lonopsis. 



Isotria. Culture as for Pogonia. 



Lacsena. For culture, see Lacsena. 



Lselia. For culture, see Laelia. 



Lseliocattleya. For culture, see Cattleya and Laelia. 



Leptotes. Culture as for Laelia. 



Limatodes. For culture, see Limatodes. 



Liparis. For culture, see Liparis. 



Lissochilus. A tropical African group, requiring soil similar to 

 phaius, made up of part good loam, with a little old manure, sand, 

 and plenty of drainage. In Africa the plants are sub-aquatic, and 

 have been cultivated with water-lilies. This is not generally prac- 

 tised, however. The flower-spikes sometimes attain 12 feet in 

 height in L. giganteus. The warmest house is necessary, with fre- 

 quent applications of liquid manure during growth with some- 

 what drier treatment in winter until new growth begins. Shade in 

 summer is necessary as the foliage is thin when new. 



Listrostackys. Culture same as for Angraecum or Phalsnopsis, 

 in very shallow pans as the plants are small. 



Luisia. For culture, see Luisia. 



Lycaste. Semi-terrestrial orchids requiring intermediate treat- 

 ment with shade from direct sunlight at all times as the foliage is 

 thin and easily injured. L. Skinneri is often grown in baskets sus- 

 pended, but should be kept moist at all times as flowers are pro- 

 duced at various seasons, and growth is often being made during the 

 whole year. A portion of loam in the soil, or the heavier grade of 

 osmundine is best suited to the roots of orchids of this nature. 

 Propagation by division. 



Macodes. Culture as for Anoectochilus. 



Masdevallia. Of all Andean orchids these do the best in an 

 ordinary coolhouse when shaded from sun, and watered frequently, 

 for, having no pseudobulbs, there is no reservoir to draw upon. 

 The colors of most masdevallias are wonderful, and the plants easy 

 of culture in the usual orchid material. Increase is readily made 

 by division of the stems just after flowering, being careful to save 

 the roots intact. For further cultivation, see Masdevallia. 



MaxiUaria. Once a very well-known genus of free-flowering 

 orchids of easy culture, some species being fragrant, but of late, 

 owing to the small flowers and dull coloring, the plants have dis- 

 appeared from collections with the possible exception of M. San- 

 deriana, which is an exception as to coloring, it being attractive and 

 the flowers large. Treatment as for Lycaste, and propagation by 

 division. 



Mesospinidium. Culture as for Cochlioda, to which it is closely 

 allied. 



Microstylis. For culture, see Microstylis. 



MiUonia. These were long known as odontoglossums, and M. 

 cexittaria is one of the prized orchids today. It is a little particular 

 as to position in the house, needing plenty of sun during the winter, 

 which is the period of growth. After flowering, in May or June, 

 there is a short time of rest, when the plants are much weakened 

 and need careful nursing with shade to enable them t9 recuperate 

 and make strong growth again. M . Roezlii is very similar, but is a 

 warmhouse plant requiring 10 more heat, and flowers in winter. 

 These are the two best known species, but, with the exception of 

 M. Roezlii, all need the intermediate house. Propagation is by 

 division when growth is starting, at potting time. 



Mormodes. For culture, see Mormodes. 



Mysticidium. Culture as for Angraecum. 



Odontoglossum. A very popular genus in Europe, but difficult 

 to grow well here owing to the extremes of temperature. Natives 

 of the Andes, where the temperature does not vary 10 winter or 

 summer. Some success has been attained here, especially during 

 cool summers. For culture, see Odontoglossum. 



Oncidium. There are a large number of species, ranging from 

 the alpine Andean small-growing ones to large tropical plants. No 

 genus of orchids presents such wide variation and study. Their 

 culture is easy when the needs of the individuals are studied, and 

 these are governed by the elevation at which the plants are found 

 growing and imitating as well as can be the temperatures. Some of 

 the cool species need moisture all the time, while the Mexican and 

 Central American ones do best with a defined period of rest, mean- 

 ing less moisture and heat, generally in the winter, sometimes 

 before flowering and often after. The intermediate house will suit 

 all except the cool ones. The flower-spikes are often very long, as in 

 O. macranthum, and need careful training to keep away from the 

 glass. O. Rogersii is perhaps the best known and is a popular florists 

 winter-flowering orchid imported annually in quantity. The usual 

 potting material is suitable, but oncidiums seem to do best when 

 restricted as to root-room. 



