692 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



almost suspended, and the house kept mode- 

 rately dry. 



Calogyne. — A very pretty genus. Many of 

 them have long creeping stems which should be 

 trained to a moss-clad block of vpood set upright 

 in the pot ; if this is not done, they will extend 

 over the edges, and be liable to be broken. 

 During their growing season, which continues 

 over the greater part of summer, give water 

 freely, but chiefly in the morning, that the 

 plants may dry before the full sun shines on 

 them. Shade for an hour or two during very 

 hot weather, and endeavour to have the growth 

 completed before the approach of autumn. 

 During their period of rest, temperature and 

 humidity must be reduced, and watering discon- 

 tinued upon the approach of cold weather. 



Coryanthes. — Drainage, in the case of this 

 genus, is of the greatest importance, as the roots 

 are impatient of moisture ; the same compost 

 as recommended for Cattleya should be used. 

 Growth should be encouraged about the begin- 

 ning of March, and as the summer advances 

 the temperature should be raised to 86» by day 

 and 70° by night, as a maximum. While the 

 pseudo bulbs are forming, water should be given 

 freely; and when they have attained their full 

 size, excitement should be checked to bring on 

 a season of rest, during which they must be kept 

 both cool and dry. 



Cycnoches. — The growing season of this genus 

 begins in general in March, at which time they 

 should be shifted. The soil to be used, and the 

 treatment generally, should be the same as for 

 Coryanthes. The genera Cycnoches, unlike 

 most other plants of this order, flower as soon 

 as the pseudo bulbs are fully formed ; whereas, 

 in the case of most other orchids, flowering does 

 not take place until the pseudo bulbs are not 

 only fully formed, but have rested some time 

 afterwards. As soon as the flowers fade, their 

 period of rest commences, when water should 

 be withheld, and the bulbs be allowed to remain 

 dry till the potting season again returns, which 

 is about March. 



Cymbidium. — A genus of very easy culture, 

 requiring a light porous soil, composed of 

 fibrous loam, leaf- mould, and half- rotten 

 twigs. They all require a high temperature, 

 say from 70° to 80°, and abundance of water 

 at their roots, as well as occasional syringings 

 during their growing season. After their new 

 leaves are made and fully developed, reduce 

 humidity, but do not withdraw it entirely, as 

 the plants require a moderate supply, even 

 during their season of rest, at which time the 

 temperature may be allowed to fall to from S5° 

 to 60°. 



Cypripedium. — All the genus, whether tropical 

 or extra-tropical, are terrestrial, and delight in a 

 soil abounding in vegetable matter, such as leaf- 

 mould, rotten twigs, turfy peat, with » portion 

 of sand to keep the whole open. They should 

 be potted in March in well-drained pots, rather 

 deep than otherwise. Their growing season is 

 from March to August, during which they should 

 have abundance of water ; and the tropical ones 

 will do better in a close pit during summer than 



elsewhere. From August to March they should 

 be kept rather dry, giving just enough to keep 

 them from flagging. In general they are kept 

 too hot in cultivation, and are more adapted to 

 the greenhouse or close pit than the regular 

 orchid-house. 



Gyrtopodium. — These are also true terrestrial 

 plants; they require large pots, well drained, 

 and a soil composed of very turfy light loam, a 

 little leaf-mould, and a few crocks broken small 

 and intermixed. They should be potted just 

 when they show signs of vegetation, and placed 

 in a warm part of the house, supplied at first 

 with a, moderate supply of water, which must 

 be increased as growth proceeds. After flower- 

 ing, and when the stems have completed their 

 growth, water should be at first reduced in 

 quantity, and while they are at rest it should be 

 entirely withheld. They winter best in a tem- 

 perature of from 55° to 60°. 



Dendrobium. — We have already stated that 

 many of them may be grown in baskets, if suf- 

 ficient compost be afforded them, and only those 

 suspended that are of dwarf growth ; the whole 

 family may be so treated, leaving the baskets to 

 stand on the stages or platforms. Again, on the 

 other hand, if care be taken to give very ample 

 drainage, and a sufBciently turfy porous compost, 

 they may be all grown in pots also. One im- 

 portant consideration in their culture is to bear 

 in mind that Dendrobiums have naturally three 

 seasons annually. In the rainy and warm season 

 they make their growths, in the cool season 

 they rest, and in the hot and dry season they 

 flower. With what has been already said re- 

 garding seasons of growth, and those of rest, the 

 above may serve as a key to the cultivation of 

 this noble tribe to cultivators of ordinary under- 

 standing. 



Epidendrum. — A large family, but much less 

 interesting than many of those we have named. 

 Some of them thrive well in pot culture, and 

 the majority may be grown in blocks or in 

 baskets, and treated like Cattleyas, &c. 



Oaleandra. — Chiefly from the warmest parts 

 of South America, consequently requiring a 

 temperature, while in a grovring state, of from 

 75° to 86° during the day, and of 70° during 

 the night. The usual turfy compost used for 

 orchids, and the necessary precautions of drain- 

 age, are required. During the season of rest, 

 the day temperature should not exceed from 

 60° to 66°, falling during night to 55°. 



6ovenia.—Aie natives of the plains of Mexico, 

 where the heat is excessive, and the rains almost 

 continuous, during their growing season, which 

 extends from March to September. During 

 their season of rest, which occupies the rest of 

 the year, they are exposed to great drought, 

 with not much of diminished temperature. 



QrammatophyUum.—A fine but rare genus, 

 whose cultivation is not as yet sufaciently well 

 known to admit of any precise directions being 

 given. 



Houlletia.—A. temperature of from 70° to 75° 

 by day, and 65° during night, is sufacient for 

 it during its growing season ; while during its pe- 

 riod of rest, from 50° to 60° is abundant. They 



