ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 67 



INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. Temperature generally the same as for March, 

 but a few degrees higher does no harm if the weather is warm; fire 

 heat during the day may be dispensed with in warm iveather. 



Shading should now be in use for a few hours when the days are 

 blight with sunshine, but inure the plants gradually to the influence of 

 the sun after the dull winter; even the Mexican Orchids which will 

 stand a great deal of sun become scorched when too early exposed 

 after so much sunless weather, and with bright sunshine by day and 

 frost at night it is advisable to maintain a sufficient amount of 

 moisture, as the plants, if in too dry a state, may suffer at such times. 

 Where the roots of Cattleyas and any Orchids may be pushing into 

 growth the plants should be at once taken in hand and repotted, or top 

 dressed, as may be best, for if the new roots are allowed to get too long 

 before doing so they get injured. Damp down the floors, &c., two or 

 three times a day. 



WARM HOUSE. Temperature, day with sun, 80; day without 

 sim, 73; night, 70; morning, 65. 



This month is generally a busy one, and the sooner the plants are 

 attended to after flowering and got into their growing quarters the 

 better. It is necessary to be very careful in watering Dendrobiums 

 just starting into growth, especially D. Bensonii and D. superbum. A 

 uniformly moist atmosphere should at this season be constantly 

 maintained, allowing it to become somewhat dry at mid-day, and 

 keeping a watchful eye for red spider and thrip. Most of the 

 Dendrobiums will now have pushed their flower buds, and should 

 be placed in their growing quarters, and careful watering observed 

 for all species. 



MAY. 



COOL HOUSE. Summer Temperature. 



Well damp down at least three times a day; in hot weather at 

 this season spraying the plants slightly overhead will do no harm if 

 done in the afternoon of a drying day, but I do not approve of 

 damping the plants overhead as a general rule. If the atmosphere is 

 properly attended to fire heat should not now be requisite, provided 

 the weather is not exceptionally cold for the time of the year. When 

 the sun gets upon the house in the morning let down the blinds, 

 allowing them to remain down until all fear of the temperature being 

 increased has passed. Do not close the Cool Orchid house by shutting 

 the ventilators as the sun is declining as is customary with Warm 

 houses. Cool Orchids are easily injured by heat and object to this close 

 heat, therefore, air should be left on day and night, in large or small 

 quantities, as required. Attend to repotting as the plants go out of 



