ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. GO 



condition. Keep up an abundance of moisture in the atmosphere, as it 

 is well nigh impossible to use too much water about for evaporation. 



INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. Summer Temperature. 

 Plants will now advance very rapidly, and in all weathers the 

 plants must have every encouragement to promote quick growth by 

 giving liberal supplies of water at the root, and moisture in the atmos- 

 phere of the house, and this can be easily secured by damping down 

 frequently, provided proper ventilation secures a gentle circulation of 

 fresh air. A fresh supply of tree leaves saved from last year should be 

 placed under the stages above the pipes, and watering now should be 

 done in the afternoon or evening. Ctrttleyas, and indeed other Orchids, 

 often have a little shrivelled appearance after flowering, but soon regain 

 vigour and plumpness with liberal treatment. Be sure and keep a 

 sharp look out for the Cattleya fiy and pay strict attention generally to 

 cleanliness, for at this season scale of various kinds are rather trouble- 

 some, and increase at an alarming rate. 



WARM HOUSE. Summer Temperature. 



Warmth from the sun is most beneficial to the plants at all times, 

 and but little fire heat may now be used, except during cold or chilly 

 dull weather. Keep a sharp look out for the Dendrobium beetle ; and 

 it is advisable at this season to continue a supply of tree leaves, or, 

 failing these, some other material for giving moisture, by placing them 

 under the stages, and thereby materially assisting the plants. Keep 

 up an abundance of moisture and look well after any signs of thrip or 

 red spider. Calanthes should now be well rooted and may receive 

 more water. This will be a busy month in all departments, for a great 

 many Intermediate and Warm Orchids require repotting between 

 April and the present time ; a few only should be done later. 



JULY. 



COOL HOUSE. Summer Temperature. 



Should the heating apparatus require repairing or altering, this is 

 the most suitable month to get it put right, letting the work be 

 completed as speedily as possible, certainly by the middle or latter part 

 of August. The repotting of all kinds of Cool Orchids should still be 

 gone on with, and if the sphagnum moss on the surface of the pots 

 begins to cover the pseudobulbs, it should be pressed neatly down with 

 the fingers whilst it is wet, bat it may ultimately become necessary to 

 remove it and substitute a fresh top dressing of sphagnum, which will 

 probably also grow. I have often heard it remarked that Orchids make 

 no growth unless the sphagnum is doing so. That Orchids generally 

 do well when the sphagnum grows freely I admit, but it is not 

 absolutely necessary for the welfare of the plants. 



