OCTOBER, 1922.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 3if 
DISBUDDING OF ORCHIDS. 
HERE are many occasions when amateurs obtain plants that are not 
ina condition to carry a full spike of flowers for any prolonged period. 
Quite naturally, there is on the part of the owner a strong desire in the 
case of newly acquired plants to ascertain their respective merits at the 
earliest possible date; and in thus encouraging them to come into flower 
prematurely detrimental effects are frequently produced. Hence the 
necessity of restricting the number of flowers by disbudding. 
Among the plants that lend themselves easily to the process of 
disbudding are Odontoglossums, and others which produce their spikes 
without the protection of an enveloping sheath. Several weeks before the 
actual period of blooming, the individual buds can be detected and any 
desired number removed with but little difficulty. It is perhaps scarcely 
necessary to mention that it is the upper buds, with the portion of the spike 
supporting them, that are almost invariably removed when any disbudding 
is decided upon. The other method consists of removing a few of the 
lower buds, and thus leaving the actual spike in its natural condition. 
The former method has the disadvantage of causing the flowers to be produced 
on the stiff unbending part of the spike, and also in close proximity to the 
plant, whereas in the latter procedure of removing the lower buds, a prettier 
effect is given for the flowers are then seen on the more slender and 
generally arching portion of the spike. The practical result in either case 
is that larger flowers of fine quality are obtained, though fewer in number. 
An immature seedling Odontoglossum flowering for the first time with 
an unrestricted spike of say five flowers, generally gives fair evidence of its 
future capabilities ; in other words, it is possible to form a mental vision of 
what it will be like after two or three years careful cultivation. But if by 
removing most of the buds all the vigour of the plant is forced into the 
remaining few, then a very much earlier knowledge is obtained of its full 
capabilities. The meritorious qualities in what ever degree they are present 
are then plainly visible, and it is to such plants that the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Preliminary Certificate is awarded when opportunities arise. 
In the same sense that a child is not expected to carry the load prepared 
fora man, an undeveloped plant should not bear as many flowers roa fully 
matured. The actual number of flowers should be in relation. to the 
Strength of the plant. Just how many should be carried is a point that 
frequently has to be decided by the R.H.S. Orchid Vommntes when making 
their awards. It sometimes happens that a fairly strong plant has 
een so severely disbudded that the remaining flowers are sega ed 
developed, and show finer qualities than they otherwise should do, or when 
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§towing under natural conditions. Bearing this point in mind, ‘‘ Awa d 
