ORCHIDS 189 



Epidendrum. This is a very large family, comprising several 

 kinds that may be regarded as suitable for beginners ; but the only one 

 selected from which the greatest amount of pleasure will be derived 

 is E. vitellinum majus. This is one of the most charming of cool-house 

 Orchids, producing brilliant orange-scarlet flowers on graceful racemes, 

 which last for months in perfection. It succeeds well with the Odonto- 

 glossums, requiring similar conditions as regards potting and during the 

 active season of growth. When the resting time arrives, that is, after 

 the flowers have been removed, water may be almost entirely with- 

 held, as the moisture in this division is sufficient to maintain a plump 

 condition of the bulbs. When growth commences give liberal treatment 

 to encourage a free growth. 



Lselia. The Mexican Laelias form a delightful group of late autumn 

 and winter flowering Orchids. They require almost full sun, with free 

 ventilation in summer, and a temperature of not less than 55 de- 

 grees in winter, until the flower-spikes are removed, after which, 

 under drier and resting conditions, 50 degrees, or even less, will not 

 be hurtful. The potting compost should consist of equal parts of fibrous 

 and living sphagnum moss, and to this may be added a liberal sprink- 

 ling of broken crocks. Give plenty of drainage, as the plants require 

 an abundance of root moisture during the growing season, and avoid 

 stagnation. After repotting, thoroughly water the plants with soft 

 rain water, keeping them slightly shaded for a few days, until the new 

 roots take hold of the material, after which, providing there are ample 

 facilities for free ventilation, little shading will be required. Syringe 

 the plants overhead, once or twice in the morning, when the weather is 

 bright, and again in the afternoon, as soon as the sun goes down. The 

 house should be closed previously to syringing in the afternoon, as by so 

 doing a hot, humid atmosphere is obtained. This must be done suf- 

 ficiently early to allow the foliage of the plants to become dry, and the 

 atmospheric moisture condensed before the cool night temperature sets 

 in. The best time to repot is when the new roots make their appear- 

 ance at the base of the last made growth. The best kinds for the above 

 treatment are L. albida, L. anceps, L. autumnalis, L. cinnabarina, L. 

 furfuracea, L. harpophylla, L. majalis, and L. superbiens. 



Under the more shady conditions of the intermediate-house, the 

 following kinds will be found most useful. Their compact habit and 

 miniature stature render them desirable for shallow pan or basket 

 culture, so that they may be suspended near the roof. The potting 

 compost required should be the same as recommended for the Mexican 

 section. They require a liberal amount of root moisture during the 

 active season of growth, but only sufficient will be required while dor- 

 mant to retain a normal condition of the pseudo-bulbs L. dayana, L. 

 pumila, and L. pr&stans. These three species may be purchased im- 

 ported, in their proper season, for a few shillings. They form a most 

 useful and desirable class of plants. Cattleyas and Laelias require a 

 winter temperature of not less than 60 degrees. The yellow-flowered 

 Cattleya citrina may be successfully grown suspended on blocks near 

 the glass in the cool intermediate-house. 



