1328 



The Weekly Florists' Review* 



OCTOBIB 11, 1906. 



tioQ of aflain is vastly different from 

 that of a greenhouse in the northern lati- 

 tudes, where ezcessiTe firing is resorted 

 to in order to maintain a moderate tem- 

 perature in zero weather. 



Never allow the pseudo-bulbs to shriv- 

 el. Water occasionally and syringe on 

 all sunny days in the resting season, 

 which should usually begin after the 

 flowering, or at the maturation of the 

 annual growth. Betard the formation of 

 new growth as long as possible, by a 

 drier condition and by a lower tempera- 

 ture. At this time all potting or top- 



biata, which blooms in autumn; C. Per- 

 civaliana, the Christmas cattleya, which, 

 although smaller than most of the labiate 

 section of cattleyas, has the most beau- 

 tiful Up; C. Trianse, the most useful win- 

 ter cattleya; C. Schroederiana, succeed- 

 ing G. Trianse; C. Mossise, blooming in 

 the early summer; C. Gaskelliana, also 

 good as a late summer orchid, but not so 

 easily obtainable in quantity. 



The Laelias. 



Next in importance to the cattleyas 

 are the Iselias. L. purpurata is often 



Phalaenopsis Schilleriana. 



referred to as the king of orchids. It 

 blooms in the spring, has longer flower 

 stems than the cattleyas, and in this re- 

 spect is quite desirable. L. anceps, 

 which blooms in early winter, is a de- 

 sirable orchid, because of its long stems. 

 The usual objection to this orchid is 

 that its blooms are short-lived. If the 

 stems are placed in warm water for a 

 couple of hours, after being cut, the 

 flowers will last much longer, as is true 

 in the case of the poinsettia. This 

 orchid can be obtained at a lower price 

 than any other large-flowering commer- 

 cial orchid. L. albida is a small-flow- 

 ered species, but its free-flowering habit 

 and white flowers, coming in at the win- 

 ter season, make it exceptionally desira- 

 ble. 



Coel^gyne and Dendrobiums. 



One of the most valuable of all orchids 

 is Ccelogyne cristata. Its white flowers 

 are produced in great abundance in the 

 winter. It can be raised with profit iu 

 the north, along the Qreat Lakes and 

 along the coast, but it would be a dismal 

 failure as far south as St. Louis, with- 

 out special provisions for cool treatment. 



Dendrobium Phalaenopsis also is one 

 of the finest of the florists' orchids. Its 

 long, graceful sprays are excellent for 

 cutting. It must be grown in a rather 

 high temperature, and although a fall 

 bloomer, it also blooms at various times. 

 D. formosum giganteum is also an ex- 

 cellent orchid. Its large, white flowers 

 may be used as substitutes for cattleyas. 

 It does not, however, last long in culti- 

 vation. The stock must be replenished 

 every few years, 



Onddiums. 



Standing in the first rank as a yellow 

 orchid is Oncidium varicosum Bogersii. 



dressing should be done. It is a good 

 rule to pot one year and top-dress the 

 next. 



Fertilizers. 



The question of fertilizers for orchids 

 is easily solved. When sphagnum is 

 used with the peat, it is better not to use 

 manurial fertilizers, as they cause too 

 rapid decomposition of the sphagnum, 

 the result being the decay of the roots. 

 With the peat system here advocated, it 

 is well to use the Cookson formula, which 

 is especially adapted for orchids and is 

 much used in England. It is as follows: 

 Three ounces of nitrate of potassium; 

 two ounces of ammonium phosphate, dis- 

 solved in three gallons of water; use one 

 liquid ounce of this solution to every gal- 

 lon of water applied. Use this fertilizer 

 about once each week during the growing 

 season. 



What orchids to grow is perhaps the 

 most important question. They must be 

 obtained in quantity and must be rea- 

 sonably cheap. They must also flower 

 at a season of the year when there is a 

 demand. This point can be solved by 

 each one for himself. In the north 

 orchids may be disposed of at almost 

 any season of the year, while farther 

 south they would be a drug on the mar- 

 ket during the summer months. By 

 careful selection a continuous crop of 

 bloom may be secured. 



The Gittleyas, 



The cattleyas are by far the most pop- 

 ular and profitable orchids on the mar- 

 ket. They may be purchased by the 

 crate, unestablished, at reasonable prices. 

 For a succession of bloom, the following 

 order may be maintained: Cattleya la- 



This Show of Orchids would be Invaluable to Any Retailer. 



