8 orchid-geower's manual. 



A knowledge of the different habitats of the various species is essen- 

 tial to the careful grower, in order that he may, as far as his means 

 permit, place them in circumstances similar to those in which they make 

 their natural growth; and it is, no doubt, to inattention, or lack of 

 information on this point, that the want of success in the culture of 

 some Orchidaceous plants, by even the most successful of our cultivators, 

 is to be in a great measure attributed. 



Epiphytal Orchids are found in tropical countries growing on the 

 low grounds or plains, and they are also met with as we ascend the 

 mountains up to an elevation of 14,000 feet above the level of the sea. 

 At this altitude, in New Grenada, Oncidium nubigenum flourishes. This 

 is, we believe, the greatest altitude at which these plants are recorded to 

 have been found. Odontoglossum Alexandvae occurs at from 7,000 to 8,000 

 feet elevation, as does 0. luteo-pwyureum and its varieties, together with 

 Masdevallias, Restrepias, and many others from Peru and New Grenada. 

 At such elevations, as a matter of course, the plants are naturally 

 subjected to a low temperature, an abundant supply of water, and a very 

 moist atmosphere throughout the year, and consequently they cannot 

 endure a resting season or a period of drought under cultivation. But 

 if we turn to the Eastern Continent, we find such plants as DendrohiuTn, 

 chrysotoxum, D. Farmeri, D. simvissimum, Aerides Lobbii, 8ciccolahium 

 am/pullaceum, 8. giganteum, Oypripedium concolor, Cymbidium tigrinum,&c., 

 all growing at elevations varying from 2,000 to 7,000 feet, enjoying a 

 copious supply of water during their period of growth, and subjected to 

 a very severe resting season. Now, as these plants grow upon the stems 

 and branches of the forest trees, or upon rocks, they must necessarily be 

 exposed to all the breezes that blow. How reprehensible, then, is the 

 practice of many growers of Orchids in trying to exclude fresh air from 

 their Orchid houses, i^'or the well-being of Orchids, it should be 

 remembered that a free circulation of air is absolutely necessary, as well 

 as an abundance of light; but cold draughts, and also the burning effects 

 of the sun's rays, must be avoided, for it is not essential to their well- 

 being to be hung up close to the glass, fully exposed to the blazing sun ; 

 indeed, the life of the plants would, under such circumstances, soon be 

 sucked out of them if shading were not provided. 



There are so-called observers of nature who blame the cultivator for 

 many of his acts, and he has perhaps suffered more wrong at the hands 



