136 Culture of Tropical OrcMdecE. 



Art. VII. On the Culture of Tropical Orchideous Plants. 

 By Mr. R. Glendinning. 



The attention of the lovers of rare plants has been more par- 

 ticularly arrested by the many beautiful species of orchideous 

 epiphytes lately imported, than, perhaps, by all others put 

 together. Very considerable difficulty has hitherto attended the 

 cultivation of these plants, except in houses exclusively appro- 

 priated to them ; and, from this circumstance, they are not yet 

 likely to become so universal as might be desired, or as their 

 wonderful variety, their diversity of colours, the perfume of many 

 species, and the elegant and curious organisation of all, might be 

 supposed to deserve. It is evident that they generally require 

 different treatment from the greater proportion of hot-house 

 plants: some, perhaps, as Dr. Lindley observes, may not require 

 so high a temperature as others ; but these will be found to be 

 comparatively few : most of them, I am confident, require less 

 sun, and all of them less air, than is generally admitted into 

 our common stoves. A highly excited temperature, abounding 

 with moisture, is apparently what they like ; humiditi/, but not 

 saturation. 



As little change is likely to take place as regards a taste for 

 these charming plants, an account of a successful plan of culti- 

 vation adopted by any of your readers, in hot-houses appro- 

 priated to a miscellaneous collection of plants, would, I am sure, 

 be very acceptable. While I state the mode adopted by myself, 

 I do not arrogate to it perfection ; but shall be happy, through 

 the medium of the Gar dealer's Magazine, to receive any inform- 

 ation on this interesting subject. 



Instead of plunging the hot-house plants, I have placed them 

 on a Portland stone stage, in the centre as well as along the front, 

 ends, and back of the house. This stove is heated by a machine 

 of Kewley's, which is by far the best of three different principles 

 of hot water erected here. The boiler is situated in the north-east 

 angle : immediately over it, and for some distance along the end 

 and back, is placed the principal part of the collection of orchi- 

 deous plants on the ston6 stage. This part of the stage has an 

 edging of stone, about an inch high, let in at front and back; and 

 all the joints are made watertight. Pieces of round stone, neatly 

 worked, about an inch thick, and the size of the bottom of the 

 pots, are placed on the stage to receive the pots. At intervals, 

 I pour water on the stage ; and, from the porous nature of 

 Portland stone, it is continually filtrating on the hot pipes, 

 which, to a certain degree, produces a constant evaporation of 

 steam. As the plants are surrounded with water, this pre- 

 vents the migration of woodlice, and also tends to increase the 

 humidity of the atmosphere of the house. A vessel of water is 



