ORCHIDS FOR BEGINNERS 327 



useful, or more easily grown than the various species of Odontoglossum. 

 If kept cool during the hot summer months they may be easily cultivated 

 in the ordinary greenhouse ; but in the neighbourhood of large towns, 

 owing to the subdued light during several months of the year, it is 

 almost impossible to obtain flowers of firm texture. Especially is this 

 the case when the flower-spikes are developing during the winter to 

 reach their full beauty in early spring. Fortunately the seasons vary, 

 and under favourable conditions many of these difficulties are overcome. 

 Considering the high prices now realised for exceptional varieties of 

 0. crispum the beginner should purchase imported plants of this species. 

 There is always more pleasure to be derived from imported plants 

 than from those in which the variety has been determined. The pur- 

 chaser of a bag of plants for half a crown may procure varieties of 

 sterling merit. The writer witnessed the sale of a plant some few years 

 back which was bought with two others in a bag at the above-mentioned 

 price. When it flowered for the first time, less than two years after- 

 wards, it was again submitted to auction in Steven's Rooms and realised 

 165. Many instances of this kind could be pointed out. It is re- 

 markable that the finest spotted varieties of 0. crispum, which are now 

 so much sought after, have with few exceptions appeared among roots 

 sold in small lots and at a low price. Some profess to know the better 

 forms of the bulb ; but in the selection of varieties amongst imported 

 plants the purchaser of a single plant is just as likely to procure the best 

 variety in the importation as the man who buys extensively. In the 

 second place, the imported plants generally grow more satisfactorily 

 than those that are removed from one collection to another after they 

 have become established. 



The Treatment of Imported Plants. The plants, as soon as re- 

 ceived, should be laid out on a damp bottom, such as a layer of sphag- 

 num moss, on the stage in a cool, shady position. They may be allowed 

 to remain until the plants begin to regain their normal condition or 

 commence growing. As soon as they show signs of rooting, pot them. 

 Another system is to pot up the plants as soon as received. The pots 

 used in either case should be only sufficiently large to contain the plants, 

 and be drained to two-thirds their depth with clean broken crocks. 

 After the plants have been placed in position in the centre, the remain- 

 ing space should be filled with the potting compost of equal portions of 

 fibrous peat and chopped living sphagnum moss, which must be pressed 

 moderately firm. Where it can be procured, chop up the large fern roots 

 which are found in the peat, and use this instead of the crocks for 

 drainage. Thoroughly water the plants with soft rain water as soon as 

 potting is finished ; they may then be placed in their allotted position 

 on the stage. It is advisable that fresh imported plants be kept on the 

 coolest and dampest side of the house. They must be carefully watered, 

 and avoid excess, as this causes the young growth to damp and die off 

 at the base. As the plants become established, they may want repotting, 

 which is best done when the growth commences to form the new bulb. 

 This is the rooting season, and the plants quickly get hold of the new 



