40 ORCHIDS I HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



There is a beautiful old Orchid, Cattleya citrina, which from its 

 peculiar drooping habit of growth cannot well be grown in any way 

 but on blocks. Even if planted in a basket or pan in an upright 

 position, the new growth will invariably turn downwards and creep 

 over the sides. Some cultivators place these plants in small pans or 

 baskets, making them firm with peat and sphagnum moss, so as to 

 allow them full freedom of growth over the sides, and I have no doubt 

 they last longer in a good healthy condition this way than any other, 

 although it lasts for a considerable time in health on a block when 

 well attended to. It is sometimes interesting to show visitors a plant 

 growing on wood, and this Cattleya is the one I recommend to be 

 grown for the purpose, but the block should be cut in a green state 

 and of the desired length, leaving the bark for the roots to cling to. 

 The wood of the pear tree, apple tree, or of the dogwood (Cornus) 

 is the best ; I remember once placing some plants of Oncidium 

 Papilio (the Butterfly Orchid) on a block of dogwood, cut from a 

 growing tree, sufficiently long for one end to be fixed firmly in a flower 

 pot in an upright position, with crocks and sphagnum moss- about it. 

 The plants were placed close together on the top part of the block, 

 completely away from the sphagnum, and the moisture from the latter 

 kept the block quite green for a considerable time ; during the first 

 year it made a new layer of bark, and I never saw plants of Oncidium 

 Papilio grow better under any conditions, the new bulbs and leaves 

 were so strong, and the roots climbed down the block in great 

 profusion. This plant, however, is best grown in small pans, being 

 more secure and giving much less trouble. 



TREATMENT OF IMPORTED ORCHIDS. 



Imported plants require most careful treatment on their arrival 

 from abroad, as a large number are severely injured at the com- 

 mencement, and in many instances killed outright. The experienced 

 Orchid cultivator, however, knows what is required to get them 

 into a strong healthy state of growth, but in the hands of the 

 inexperienced they dwindle and perish for want of proper treatment. 

 It is sometimes the case that the plants have stood the journey well, 

 and when unpacked look quite green and fresh, having scarcely lost a 

 leaf. But if these were unpacked and suddenly exposed to strong 

 light and moisture, many, if not all, of the green leaves would 

 probably turn yellow or fall off with but very little warning, and of 

 course greatly weaken the plants. Those who import Orchids for 

 almost immediate sale by auction are naturally anxious that the plants 

 should look well and fresh in the salerooms, and at as early a period as 

 possible, and to obtain this result the plants are placed in a moist, 

 darkened house, and frequently no attempt is made to really harden 

 them off. It is necessary, therefore, for amateurs to be on their guard 



