42 ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



price ; yet it is sometimes desirable to increase the stock of a very rare 

 and expensive sort, or even an exceptionally good variety of a common 

 species, in fact any other kind one may value and wish to propagate. 

 Such free growing kinds as the Calanthes, Pleiones, Cypripediums, 

 Thunias, Masdevallias, Oncidiums, and Odontoglossums, when in a 

 vigorous condition, readily increase in the number of leading growths 

 without artificial aid, and if more stock is required it is easily obtained 

 by dividing the plants. Cattleyas, Lselias, and Dendrobiums may also 

 be increased by division, and this can be hastened somewhat by the 

 use of a knife. Fig. 13 shows one method whereby a Cattleya or a 

 Laelia can be made to break back through severing the rhizome, as 

 shown in the illustration, but the resulting growths are generally 

 weak, and several years elapse before they are strong enough to bloom. 

 Cattleyas and Laelias sometimes have double breaks, forming two new 

 pseudobulbs from an old one, but it frequently happens that, in the 

 following year, one only of these new growths will take the lead and 

 the other remain dormant, and if left undisturbed will often remain in 

 this state for several years. When it is seen that both the new pseudo- 

 bulbs are not going to start into growth at the same time, the weaker 

 of the two should be severed from the parent plant close to the pseudo- 

 bulb, and it will then be obliged to start into growth on its own 

 account. The inaision should be made with a sharp knife, care being 

 taken not to cut the roots or injure any other part of the plant. The 

 severed portion will then make a new pseudobulb the same year, 

 provided the operation was performed in the spring, and in the 

 following spring they will grow faster and surer if taken away from 

 the parent plant and potted into small pots or baskets. 



The propagation of the Dendrobium is easy, but is not practised so 

 much as would be the case if many of the most beautiful varieties were 

 not imported in such large quantities, strong plants being obtainable 

 at such low prices as to render propagation unnecessary, unless in the 

 case of an extraordinary good variety or a garden hybrid. When it is 

 desired that young stock should be raised of Dendrobiums, the old 

 pseudobulbs, which it is found may be cut away without injury to the 

 plants, should be cut in three or four pieces and laid upon sphagnum 

 moss, placed on a shelf or some other suitable place and kept moist, 

 and in due time the young growths will appear, arid these will form 

 healthy young bulbs. 



INSECT LIFE, CLEANLINESS, AND EEMEDIES. 



Cleanliness is a great point in the cultivation of Orchids, as well as 

 with other plants, such as the removal of all rubbish from under the 

 stages or elsewhere. Whitewashing the walls once a year, scrubbing 

 the stages and pots occasionally, cleaning and sponging the leaves of 

 the plants, all helping to keep down insect life, which, if unchecked, 



