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ORCHIDS AT HOME 
British Guiana. — Several years ago a Demerara journal published some inte- 
resting observations on the cultivation of Orchids and their natural life in that region. 
Here are a few extracts from them : — 
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“ In the cultivation of Orchids it is necessary to remember that they exist upon 
the gases and watery vapour which they imbibe from the atmosphere, and that they 
require a tolerably calm situation, as very strong winds are extremely injurious to 
them. The north and east winds which prevail at certain seasons parch them up, 
and ultimately hill the plants if allowed free play upon them. 
“When the atmosphere is calm, and the soil well watered a current of moist 
air continually rises from the earth, and thanks to this the atmosphere remains in 
a most favourable condition for the culture of epiphytes upon dwarf trees. Certain 
species require very little shade provided they be well protected on the windy side 
by a screen of foliage; others require a canopy of leaves to break up the force of 
the sun-rays. 
“ Two of the most robust and beautiful of these Orchids (Oncidium Lanceanum 
and Cattleya superba) are fairly common about Georgetown, and are very often the 
last survivals of a large number of species. They accomodate themselves to a drier 
atmosphere than that required by others, and do not flower if too much shaded. 
“A well grown Orchid has plump pseudobulbs and stiff and substantial leaves : 
if shaded too much the leaves become limp and drooping, and if kept too dry, they 
shrivel and drop off. 
“It is a good plan to fix epiphytes to the under surface of branches, or on 
the trunk beneath a fork in such a way that they receive moisture from the dews 
or rains which trickle down the bark. Until the plants are furnished with roots, 
they should be attached by means of wire, and once they are established this fastening 
may be dispensed with, being no longer necessary and only a preventitive to growth. 
“ In the cultivation of epiphytes many kinds of pots and baskets are used. The roots 
should not come in contact with anything stagnant or foul, and rotten wood is 
poisonous to them. Strong and healthy plants thrive well on blocks of wood or on 
rocks, but open baskets made of strips of wood are to be preferred for the majority 
of species. Many succeed better in pots than in any other way, especially in 
greenhouses. 
“The pots and baskets should be filled with a material which is at once porous 
and at the same time retains moisture. For cultivation in the open air, broken pots 
pieces of brick, and charcoal do very well; but for conservatories fibrous peat ae 
sphagnum are better. It is advisable to dip the plants occasionally in order to get 
rid of woodlice and cockroaches. 
: As watering will depend upon the period of the year, and on the conditions under 
which the plants are placed, it is impossible to formulate any definite rule, save 
one, namely, that less water is required during the period of flowering. When Orchids 
are in a well-ventilated place they cannot be watered too much, but in close and 
moist quarters, excessive watering will rot them. 
” 
(Continued on p. 32) 
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