ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 15 



ODONTOGKLOSSUMS AND ONCIDIUMS. 



These lovely and interesting genera of Orchids are general 

 favourites, owing no doubt to the fact that, in addition to their beauty, 

 the greater part of them can be grown successfully under cool treat- 

 ment, and on that account are not so expensive to cultivate as those 

 requiring more warmth. A large collection of these charming and 

 useful Orchids could be go;b together, all of which would flourish under 

 exactly the same conditions, and thus one house would, if properly 

 managed, furnish the year round a good supply of the most lovely 

 flowers imaginable. The great beauty and exceptionally meritorious 

 character each individual species possesses, would fill volumes if full 

 justice were done them. I propose to say but little in this direction, 

 as it is a subject really of no aid to cultivation. In these days the 

 general beauty and interesting character of Orchids are freely written 

 about in various books and magazines, independently of the gardening 

 press, but to read of the special qualities of a flower is one thing, and 

 to grow that flower is another ; therefore, I adhere chiefly to cultural 

 directions, so that amateurs may be in a position to produce the flowers 

 and see for themselves. Most of these cool growing Odontoglossums 

 and Oncidiums are very cheap and exceedingly beautiful. Odont. 

 crispum and Odont. Pescatorei, being two of the very best, should 

 occupy a prominent position in every collection. These and other 

 popular varieties may be purchased as strong imported or established 

 plants ; but by buying the latter in a healthy condition much time is 

 gained, as the imported ones are slow in becoming established, and the 

 others are purchaseable at almost any reasonable price ; good plants of 

 ordinary varieties selling at from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. each, while as much 

 as 50 guineas has sometimes been paid for a plant of an exceptionally 

 fine or rare variety. It is best, therefore, to pay a reasonable price and 

 start well with good plants. Fig. 7 represents an imported plant of 

 Odont. crispum, a fair value being about 3s. to 5s. Fig. 8 represents 

 a semi-established plant, obtainable at a cost of from 5s. to 7s. 6d. 

 Odont. crispum (syn. Odont. Alexandras), is a universal favourite, and 

 is imported in very large numbers, finding a ready sale , but these, if 

 strong and healthy, can seldom be purchased at lower prices than I 

 have named. 



\ 

 CYPRIPEDIUMS (The Lady's Slipper}. 



These are Orchids having no pseudobulbs, and on that account are 

 somewhat difficult to import and establish, but when successfully done 

 they generally admit of easy culture. It is, however, best under all 

 circumstances to procure established plants, and although very far from 

 possessing the beauty and attractiveness of a Cattleya or a Dendrobe, 



