ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. . 155 



sunshine and to as much air as possible, compatible with their well known 

 partiality for moisture. If plants have been tenderly grown they may 

 at first appear to resent such treatment, and may possibly drop a few 

 leaves, but, rely upon it, the result will prove the best in the end. 



Those that grow O. crispum indifferently will probably have noticed 

 from time to time that the foliage has a decided tendency to become 

 more or less marked, or spotted with watery and eventually black 

 spots. Also that the apex of the leaves decay, which have to be trim- 

 med occasionally to present a respectable appearance, this happening 

 principally during the winter months. This is a sure sign of previous 

 wrong treatment, which has caused a weakened constitution, and it 

 will also be evidence that the existing conditions are too wet, or too 

 cold, probably both, for the latter produces the former. It is frequently 

 brought about in damp weather during winter when, instead of 

 having slight warmth in the pipes with ventilation on, the house is shut 

 up in order to maintain the thermometer to the desired figure without 

 troubling to light a fire, which is a very bad system to follow, 



Keep a sharp look out for that insidious little yellow thrip, which 

 cripples the flower buds and marks the foliage so terribly if allowed to 

 breed. To the unpractised eye it is sometimes unnoticeable until the 

 mischief is actually done. On the least signs of it fumigate with XL 

 All Fumigating Insecticide, the most efficacious thing ever brought out. 



Another most important item, never repot except when necessary. 

 A plant should safely go for two years and perhaps more. Eepot 

 only at the proper time, which is when the new growth has started and 

 is from half an inch to an inch in length. Select them when in that 

 condition, no matter what is the season, whether winter or summer. 

 The following kinds require similar treatment : Odontoglossum 

 Pescatorei, O. x Andersonianum, O. x Euckerianum, O. Cervantesii, O. 

 gloriosum, O. Hallii, O. Lindleyanum, O. luteopurpureum, O. poly- 

 xanthum, O. sceptrum, O. tripudians, O. triumphans and O. Rossi 

 majus ; with others, of course, but, as I have before stated, most others 

 are not so particular and will grow very well in a mixed amateur's 

 house as explained in the preceding chapter. 



