56 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



a desire to grow a general collection. Those who arrange 

 for a general collection of Orchids as their primary object 

 often cut the flowers for their own use, or to give to their 

 friends, and the following remarks may be useful to all 

 classes of growers. 



A large proportion of the flowers of Orchids used for 

 decorative purposes are in a great degree wasted by being 

 cut in an immature state soon after the buds have expanded. 

 Such flowers last but a very short time, and, if used for 

 decoration by night, are only presentable for one evening. 

 Orchid flowers should not be cut until they are fully mature 

 and their tissues hardened. They last longer even if they 

 are cut after they are past their best, than they do if cut 

 too soon after expanding. When mature, the flowers re- 

 quire less support from moisture passing up the stem than 

 most flowers, but if cut in an undeveloped state sufficient 

 moisture cannot be obtained through the stems, even if 

 well supplied with water, to continue the development, and 

 the petals droop and the flowers soon wither. 



When Orchid flowers are to be used for decorative pur- 

 poses, no matter in what stage of development they may 

 be, it adds greatly to their durability if they are placed head 

 downward, thoroughly immersed in clean water (rain-water 

 for preference), and kept so immersed until an hour or so 

 before they are set up, gently shaking the water from them, 

 and placing them on a cloth or some dry, cool surface 

 until wanted. Treated in this way, Orchid flowers will last 

 for weeks instead of days. The method should be to take 

 them out of the dining-room or other place where they 

 have been used after the guests have departed each evening. 

 Have ready a large earthenware pan filled with water, 



