A. YD THEIR MANAGEMENT. 151 



Cypripedium. 



a vigour that is rarel\- found in those imported from their 

 native countries. 



For cultural purposes it is proposed to group the 

 different sections under three headings : the Stove section 

 (requiring a winter temperature of 6odeg. to 65deg.) ; the 

 Intermediate section irequiring a temperature of SSdeg.) ; 

 and the Cool section (requiring a temperature of 5odeg.) 

 The summer temperature ranges from lodeg. to isdeg. 

 higher in each instance. 



The Stove Str/i'o// comprises nearly the whole of the 

 tessellated foliaged division, to which such species as 

 C. Laii'vcnccanmii, C. barbatuvi, C. callosiiui, and 

 several others belong. To these must be added the green- 

 ■foliaged section, to which C. Shviei, C. Rothschildiamnn, 

 C. Sandtrianitni, C. philippineiise, C. Parishii. C. Lowii, 

 and others of the Bornean continent belong. The h>-brids 

 that have been derived from the intercrossing of these 

 sections, and the whole of the Selenipediums, should also 

 be included here. The potting compost that we find suits 

 these sections best is a mixture of two parts peat to 

 one of sphagnum, making the material moderatel)' firm 

 about the roots. The pots should be clean and sufficiently 

 large to contain the plants comfortabh'. These plants in 

 the^ majority of cases are thick-rooted, and require a 

 reasonable amount of pot-room. Ample drainage of clean, 

 broken potsherds must be afforded. 



One of the chief items in the successful culture of 

 Cypripedium.s is the water. Unless soft or rain-water can 

 be aff"orded, considerable difficulty will be found m 

 keeping the material in a desirable condition. With the 

 frequent application of hard water the moss dies,_ and 

 the deca}- thus begun quickly spreads to the remaining 

 portion of the potting material, causing the whole to 

 quickl)- become sour and inimical to the well-bemg of 

 the plants. It is necessary, therefore, that every considera- 

 tion should be given to the storage of rain-water. We 

 need not dwell upon the general requirements of the 

 stove Cypripediums here as regards watering, dampmg- 

 down of the houses, &c. The methods that are practised 

 in connection with the culture of stove plants 

 generally will meet the requirements of this section of 

 Orchids. 



