HYBRIDISING AND RAISING ORCHID SEEDLINGS. _ xliit. 
When sown on canvas or blocks of wood the germination may be watched 
from the very commencement, and the processis most interesting. Shortly 
after sowing the seed begins to swell, and gradually acquires a greenish 
tinge. Next the testa ruptures, and the minute embryo gradually assumes 
a globular form, and steadily increases in size. Then some minute root- 
hairs appear, and a growing point is seen at the apex of the young seedling, 
from which a minute leaf begins to push. Soon afterwards the first true 
root appears, after which, with ordinary care, the seedlings may be 
considered safe, and will gradually develop until the flowering stage is 
reached. The most critical period seems to be what is termed the thalloid 
stage, for the seeds will sometimes swell and assume a greenish tinge, and 
then make no further progress, finally shrivelling up and disappearing, for 
no apparent reason. The researches of M. Noel Bernard seem to show that 
the cause of this is the absence of certain microscopic fungi which live in the 
plant, a point we may go into presently. When sown on blocks of wood 
or canvas the tiny globules sometimes almost cover the surface, and some 
of them should be pricked off before they choke each other, and in any case 
this should be done as soon as the first true root begins to push, so that a 
supply of food is at once available. Thin sowing should be practiced, even 
if some of the seeds have to be left unused. Cattleyas usually flower from 
four to six years old, though some mature earlier under favourable treat- 
ment, and others, especially among the earlier hybrids, have taken much 
longer to bloom. The tendency is to shorten the period by growing the 
seedlings on rapidly. The species of Cattleya which have been intercrossed 
are very numerous, as may be seen by the following pages, but other 
combinations are possible, and the utilisation of the hybrids themselves as 
parents offers endless possibilities for the future. Cattleya has also been 
united with Lelia, Brassavola, Epidendrum, Sophronitis, Diacrium and 
Schomburgkia, and there is still plenty of scope for further experiments. 
L# 14 may be bracketed with Cattleya as regards treatment, and the 
remark applies to the allied genera, which cross with each other very freely. 
SoPHRONITIS GRANDIFLORA crosses freely with Cattleya and Leelia, but 
the seedlings are rather delicate, and grow very slowly. The Sophronitis is 
generally used as the seed-bearer, and the pollen masses of the larger parent 
have to be cut, being too large for the stigma. 
EpmIpENDRUM flowers are rather difficult to manipulate, owing to their 
small size, and to the fact that the lip is united to the column, but the 
seedlings are among the easiest to raise, and they begin to flower in the 
second or third year. The capsules mature very quickly, and no easier 
subject could be found for a beginner. 
DENDROBIUM seedlings are not difficult to raise, and begin to flower when 
three or four years old. The popular D. nobile has been crossed with many 
