“THE CULTURE OF MAXILLARIAS. 
Maxillarias are usually cultivated in cool temperate houses, in the same way as 
Lycastes and the Colombian Miltonias. The temperature which suits them best varies 
from 9° to 12° C. (about 50° to 55° Fahr. ) according to the exposure and the construction 
of the house. They may also be easily grown in temperate houses, the sweetest and 
best ventilated positions being reserved for them, or even in the same house as the 
Colombian Odontoglossums in places most edihins to the sun and least near the 
ventilators. 
if necessary the amateur who wishes to grow > Maxillarias in the same house as. 
the cool Odontoglossums or Masdevallias, may reserve for them a certain portion of 
the staging, above which may be placed a branch of hot-water pipe in order to heat 
a little more this particular spot, and to create an ascending current of air ‘to protect 
these. plants against a draught too strong for their liking. It is thus easy to make a 
less encumbrous subdivision in a house and in case of need to dispense with it more 
easily than it is to erect a separate compartment divided by partitions. 
“It is hardly necessary to say that the distinction will hardly exist in summer, 
as during this season there is rarely occasion for fire-heat in the alpine Odontoglossum 
house. But watering would not be so frequent in the Maxillaria section, and damping 
down the footpaths and stages would be less necessary. In the winter the temperature 
indicated above should be maintained, and while the Maxillarias will require very 
little water, most of the Odontoglossums must always receive plenty. 
The cultivation of the two kinds of plants may thus be carried on easily together, - 
and the difference between them will become less noticeable, if the system be adopted 
of allowing the Odontoglossums, to remain in a state of comparative rest during the 
warmest period of the year, and allow them to grow rapidly in the winter. One may 
almost be content with the same temperature for the two Scie of plants, making 
only a difference in regard to the watering. : 
Maxillarias are mostly grown in pots; but M. Sanderiana, which produces its flower- 
spikes rather low down and in a pendulous position, would be better in a basket, as then 
one may be sure of not losing the flowers. M. Lindeniae, M. striata, which is of modest 
/ growth, and M. venusta, are also cultivated occasionally in baskets. For compost, a 
mixture of sphagnum moss and fibrous peat in equal parts, or a little more peat than 
- sphagnum, may be used. , 
With some amateurs the leaves of Maxillaria poe bear black spots. This 
is generally caused by the house being too moist. Good ventilation is the best remedy, 
but care must be taken to give it only when the external temperature is fairly high, 
and when the wind is not too strong. 
At times, also, the leaves are attacked by thrips or other meerese “aihiich have 
increased rapidly this’ year, having been favoured by the great heat. In such circum- 
stances the leaves and the pots should be washed with. tobacco-water, and the stages 
should be kept clean. As the least fold in the leaves may serve to harbour the insects 
and their imperceptible eggs, it is essential to pass the sponge or brush over the entire 
length of the leaves. 
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