328 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



compost and become re-established. For repotting Odontoglossums 

 choose September. They must be carefully shaded from direct sun after 

 repotting, and the house kept rather closer for a few weeks, with plenty 

 of humidity in the atmosphere. 



Odontoglossums require careful summer treatment. It is difficult 

 to keep the plants cool in the hottest part of the day, but with heavy 

 shading, frequent damping of the floors, staging, &c., and ample ventila- 

 tion, it is possible to maintain the temperature below the prevailing 

 conditions outside. The inside temperature in summer should be re- 

 tained about 60 degrees, the lower ventilators being allowed to remain 

 open whenever 55 degrees are indicated inside. It is wise to close the 

 roof ventilators when damping for the last time in the summer afternoon, 

 opening again later in the evening after the moisture has had time to 

 condense. Keep the atmosphere well charged with moisture whenever 

 the outside conditions are warm and bright. The plants must not be 

 allowed to shrivel through want of moisture at the roots at any season 

 of the year. During the winter months maintain an even temperature 

 of 50 degrees, and if the temperature falls below this, resort to artificial 

 heat, but do not use more artificial warmth than is absolutely 

 necessary. 



The house most suitable for the culture of Odontoglossums is a span- 

 roof facing east and west, affording ample means for ventilation both in 

 the roof and along the side walls. During the summer months, when 

 the weather is very hot, provide a trellis to fit the doorway. This pre- 

 vents birds or animals getting into the house. The blinds should be 

 raised well above the glass, so that a free circulation of air may be pro- 

 cured and the glass kept cooler in hot weather. The lath roller blinds 

 are the most suitable, as they serve two purposes, viz., as a screen from 

 the sun in summer and as a protection on cold nights in winter. Every 

 provision should be made for the storage of rain water. The stages 

 should be covered with coke breeze about two inches deep, and the 

 plants arranged on inverted pots, or another stage be placed above ; but 

 it is not desirable that the pots containing the plants should be arranged 

 on the coke. 



A lean-to house facing north generally meets the requirements of 

 Odontoglossums, but they will require great care during the winter 

 months. 



Oncidium. Many beautiful Oncidiums succeed under the same 

 cultural conditions as recommended for Odontoglossums, such as 0. 

 incurvum, 0. ornithorhynchum, and the lovely species which belong to 

 the 0. macranthum group. These are a success at the cool and most shady 

 end of the house. The long flower-spikes should be trained as they ad- 

 vance around some sticks. These make a fine display when in flower, 

 and last long in perfection. 0. concolor, 0. crispum, 0. Forbesii, and the 

 lovely 0. marshallianum, require slightly warmer conditions in winter. 



Peristeria elata (The Dove Orchid}. This is a lovely late summer- 

 flowering Orchid. It needs, unfortunately, stove or hothouse conditions. 

 Ample drainage is required, the potting compost consisting of fibrous 



