40 
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ORCHIDS. AND ORCHID. CULTIVATORS IN ENGLAND 
AND BELGIUM. 
I have read with great interest the views expressed on the one hand by the 
nurserymen, and on the other by botanists, respecting Orchid culture in Belgium 
and in this country; and as Orchid grower I would contribute my experience. 
Having cultivated Orchids here and in Belgium, I may be excused for making 
a few remarks on the subject. M. Lucten Liven, in the Fozrnal des Orchidées, 
shows that he has excellent ideas as to the natural requirements of Orchids, a 
practical knowledge of their cultivation, and of the beneficial results of scientific 
methods of ventilation of the house in which they are grown, affording water, 
and of the benefits of sunlight. I fully agree with him that open stages are better 
for the plants than closed stages covered with moisture-retaining materials. But 
in attempting to draw a comparison between our own cultivators and the 
Belgians as regards the methods employed and general treatment, M. Lucren 
Linven treads on dangerous ground so far as Orchid growing is concerned, 
because there are really no comparisons to be drawn.... 
That the climatic and other conditions, not only of a country, but of a 
locality, greatly aid, or are inimical to, the cultivation of plants, is too well 
known to need further proof from me. Hundreds of instances could be quoted 
regarding all kinds of plants, and I am continually noticing that some species of 
Orchid do better in one part than in another, notwithstanding the careful culti- 
vation bestowed on those which do not succeed. For instance, Odontoglossum 
Alexandrae (crispum) succeeds in Belgium better than it does in England. 
An English Orchid-grower may go to Belgium, and try to grow Odonto- 
glossum Alexandrae, and he will meet with universal success, and grow them 
better than he could at home. A Belgian grower may come to England, he may 
also know how to grow them in his own country, but he will not meet with 
uniform success, and will not grow this species so well as at home. This is a 
fact which I have proved, and seen proved. Too much importance should not 
be attributed to slight variations of methods and treatment, nor to the structure, 
nor to the size of the ventilators. The clever Orchid cultivator is he who grows 
the plants well under adverse climatic conditions, and in ill-adapted structures, 
with insufficient ventilation, bad light, etc. He will vary the treatment according 
to the prevailing conditions, and give the utmost amount of attention to the 
needs of the plants, and it follows that there is no secret in cultivating Orchids, 
neither in England nor in Belgium — it is a simple matter of attention. 
(To be followed on p. 42.) 
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