24 ORCHIDS 



When to Fertilise the Flowers. 

 this matter, but for choice we should advise the morning 

 portion of the da}' for the purpose. During the duller 

 months of the }-ear we prefer operating when the sun- 

 light is strongest, from, say, ten to two o'clock. Owing 

 to the prevalence of dull weather in the winter months, 

 especially in the fall of the year, it is a difficult matter 

 to attain success, for after the flower has been fertilised 

 the decaying portions of the segments frequently convey 

 decomposition to the more sensitive parts of the flowers 

 after fructification has considerabl}- advanced, causing the 

 whole to rot. 



Period between Fertilisation and Fructi= 

 fication. 



There can be no doubt but that fructification commences 

 immediatel}- the sexual portions of the flowers are brought 

 together. In the case of Oncidiums, Cattle3-as, Laslias, 

 Odontoglossums, &:c., the segments of the flowers begin to 

 wither within a few hours. In fact, we have observed 

 that insects coming into contact with the stigma frequently 

 set up sufificient irritation to cause the flower to wither 

 and decay. 



Treatment after Fertilisation. 



To procure good seed it is adxisable that the plants 

 carrying seed-vessels should be given exery encourage- 

 ment that will be likel)- to assist in its production. One 

 of the principal considerations, therefore, is that the)' 

 should be afforded all the available light. It is not 

 necessary to place the plants in such a position that the 

 direct rays of the sun may destroy the foliage and other- 

 wise unduly distress them ; but at the same time, ever}- 

 encouragement must be given that will assist them to 

 properly ripen the pods, or good seed cannot possibly 

 be procured. A position near the roof-glass generall}- 

 satisfies their requirements in this direction. 



The period that elapses between fertilisation and the 

 ripening of the seed-pods differs ver}' considerabl}'. In 

 the case of the South American Selenipediums, a feu- 

 months suffice for the pods to reach maturit}' ; but with 



