ORCHIDS. 285 



Orchids, continued. 



be paid to the constitution of the species, for some orchids, 

 even when perfectly healthy, strongly resent interference. 



Seeds. In no class of cultivated plants is propagation 

 by seeds more difficult and tedious than it is with orchids. 

 In all cases, fertilization must be performed by hand. In 

 England, the length of time required for the capsules to 

 ripen varies from three months to a year. Good seeds 

 form a very small proportion of the whole, and it occa- 

 sionally happens that the contents of a capsule will not 

 produce a single plant. This, however, as well as the dif- 

 ficulty experienced in England in rearing plants to the 

 flowering stage, is primarily due to the deficiency of sun- 

 light, and in such a bright climate as that of the United 

 States, would not be likely to occur. Various methods of 

 sowing are in vogue, such as sprinkling over pieces of 

 wood and cork or tree-fern stem, and on the top of moss 

 and peat, in which established plants of the same or a 

 nearly related species are growing. The last is probably 

 the best, but it is always advisable to try several methods. 

 Of course, the material on which the seeds are scattered 

 must always be kept moist and shaded. The period be- 

 tween germination and the development of the first root 

 is the most critical in the life of a seedling orchid. After 

 they are of sufficient size to handle they are potted off into 

 tiny pots, and as they gain strength, are given treatment 

 approximating that of adult plants. 



Division. Cypripediums may be taken as an example 

 where this is readily done. It is simply necessary to care- 

 fully shake off the soil from the roots, and by the aid of a 

 sharp knife, sever the plant into as many pieces as are re- 

 quired. It is always advisable to leave one or more lead- 

 ing growths to each portion. This method may be prac- 

 ticed for the increase of phaius, masdevallia, sobralia, ada, 

 the evergreen section of calanthe, and all of similar habit. 



In nearly all those kinds where the pseudo-bulbs are 

 united by a procumbent rhizome, such as occurs in cat- 

 tleyas, the process is slower. It seems to be natural for 

 these plants to continue year after year, producing a single 

 growth from the old pseudo-bulb. To obtain additional 

 "leads," the rhizomes should be cut through in early 

 spring, two or three pseudo-bulbs being reserved to each 

 piece. A bud will then push from the base of each 

 pseudo-bulb nearest the division, and a new lead is 

 formed. The pieces should not be separated until this is 

 well established, and three years may sometimes be re- 



