270 THE ORCHID REVIEW. |SEPTEMBER, 1922- 
cool-house, nor will cool-growing species from a high mountainous district 
yield hybrids that will succeed in a close and humid hot-house. 
Cymbidium insigne was found on the high plateau ot Southern Annam 
at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. The minimum temperature during the 
winter months is from 45 to 55 degrees, and the maximum 65 to 75 degrees ; 
during the summer months slightly higher figures are reached, but the 
thermometer very rarely exceeds 80 degrees. From these figures C. insigne 
may be classed as a plant requiring an intermediate house temperature. In 
the case of primary hybrids, of which C. Pauwelsii (insigne X Lowianum) 
is a well-known example, the temperature may be regulated according as to 
whether the second parent needs a higher or less temperature than insigne. 
Generally speaking, all hybrids of insigne have been made with cool-growing 
species, which include Lowianum, eburneum, Hookerianum, tigrinum and 
Tracyanum. From these remarks it is. apparent that the majority of 
Cymbidium hybrids will succeed admirably in the cool-house during the 
summer months, and also during the winter if the temperature does not fall 
below 45 degrees. An occasional 4o degrees will probably do little harm if 
the atmosphere is not unduly charged with moisture. 
It is always a matter of satisfaction to possess handsome and well-grown 
plants. The ambition of every amateur should not-be restricted to only 
keeping his plants alive in as low a temperature as they will submit to, but 
his full endeavours as an amateur cultivator should be directed into really 
cultivating the plants to their fullest attainments. Individual attention is 
one of the great secrets. With each change of ‘season, or even spell of 
weather, much can be accomplished towards: this end by moving various 
plants from one position to another that will-suit them better. A single 
thermometer suspended from one of the rafters is no true guide to the exact 
conditions under which many of the plants are often only attempting to 
exist. In some houses the staging is so far from the glass that a difference 
of at least ten degrees can be measured. In other houses one end is many 
degrees hotter on account of being near the boiler, or the end of yet another 
house may be heavily shaded by an adjoining tree. Plants suspended in 
pans or baskets from the roof are generally in a much higher temperature 
than those nearer the ground, and when near an open ventilator they are 
surrounded by a very much drier atmosphere than the plants near 4 
saturated under-staging of coke or similar material. These are only a few 
of the many points which render a house, or any portion of it, suitable or 
otherwise for the successful cultivation of Orchids, and it should be the 
amateur’s pleasure to so use his knowledge that the best results obtainable 
under existing circumstances are secured. Nothing succeeds like success, 
and the amateur who achieves good results with plants of simple needs will 
very soon desire to attempt the cultivation of others. 
