154 ORCHIDS 



Cypripedium. 

 }'oung or last made growths. Under such conditions, with 

 the necessary encouragement, they soon become re- 

 estabhshed. 



To increase from seed takes a considerable time. In 

 the first place between fertilisation and the ripening of 

 seed twelve months must elapse, and a further period of 

 three }-ears must elapse before the plant may be expected 

 to flower. This period would be altogether too long for 

 the market-grower to wait for an increase of stock ; but 

 where rarities exist, such as C. Laivrenceanuin Hyeanum, 

 C. callosum Sandera, C. insigtic SandercF, and others, it 

 would pay to devote time and attention to their repro- 

 duction. In the few instances that we have experimented, 

 we find that the species crossed with pollen of their 

 own section produce far more fertile seed than those 

 intercrossed with other species. The seed germinates 

 satisfactorily when sown on the surface of the soil of 

 Cypripediums, selecting for the purpose those plants in 

 which the potting compost has become firm, and not 

 newly-potted ones. Watering must be carefull}' done. It 

 is to the careless use of the watering-can that the greatest 

 number of failures in the rearing of h)'brid Orchids may 

 be attributed. 



The tessellated foliage section, such as C. Lauirenceatimn, 

 C. Curtisii, C. bardatioii, and others, do not find particular 

 favour with market-growers, owing to the fact that they 

 produce their flowers during the summer months, when 

 flowers generally are plentiful. It is, therefore, to the 

 autumn-flowering section that the grower has to give par- 

 ticular attention. C. Charlcsworthii is the first to flower, 

 followed by C. Spiccriaiuiin, C. insigne, and C. villosum, 

 in the order named. Among the hybrids, perhaps 

 C. HarrisiaiiHin is the most useful, owing to the fact that it 

 produces two crops of flowers during the j^ear. C. Lccanum 

 is probably the best hybrid that has ever been introduced, 

 and will prove of great assistance to the market-growers 

 when it becomes more plentiful. The numerous other 

 C. Spiccriaiiuiii hybrids and the C. iiiteiis section have all 

 good constitutions and free-flowering characteristics, and 

 will, as they become better known, prove useful. 



The house most suitable for the Intermediate and 

 Cool-growing sections is one having a low, flat roof. 



