PROPAGATION OF ORCHIDS. 87 



Over watering is very detrimental to nearly all the species of Orchids 

 in cultivation. It must be remembered that although in their native 

 habitats they get a great deal of rain during the growing season (which 

 is generally the rainy season), it is very different in our houses, where 

 they are closely confined, and evaporation does not take place to such an 

 extent as it does in their native homes, where they are found growing on 

 trees and rocks and on the ground. In these positions they get all the 

 winds that blow, and which after a shower quickly dry up the super- 

 abundant moisture. More Orchids are lost by over watering than many 

 people imagine ; and although they may not show it at the time, it tells 

 upon them afterwards in the shape of disease. 



PROPAGATION OF ORCHIDS. 



THERE are different modes of propagating the various kinds of 

 Orchids. Some are easily increased by dividing them into pieces, 

 or by cutting the old pseudobulbs from the plants after the latter have 

 done blooming J such plants as Bendrohiums are increased in this way. 

 The best time for dividing the plants is just as they begin to grow, or 

 when they are at rest. They should be cut through with a sharp knife 

 between the pseudobulbs, being careful not to harm the roots ; and each 

 piece should have some roots attached to it. After they are cut through, 

 they should be put into some shady part of the house, without receiving 

 much water at the roots till they have begun to grow and made fresh 

 ones ; then they may be parted, potted, and have the regular supply. 

 BendfTobium nobile, B. Pierardii, B. Bevonianum, B. Falconerii, B. 

 superbum, B. Wardianum, B. crassinode, B. superbiens, B. bigibbum, and 

 sorts of similar habit, are easily propagated. This is effected by bending 

 the old pseudobulbs round the basket or pot in which they are growing ; 

 or by cutting the old flowering bulbs away from the plant, and laying 

 them on some damp moss in a shady and warm part of the house, with 

 a good supply of moisture. In either case, they will break and make 

 roots and new shoots, after which they may be potted or put in baskets. 

 Such kinds as B. Jenkinsii, B. aggregatum, B. formosmn, B. speciosum, 

 B. densiflorum, B. thyrsiflorum, B. suavissimum, and similar groM'ing 

 sorts, are increased by simply dividing the plants. 



