THE CULTURE OF 



GREENHOUSE ORCHIDS 



THE NATURE OF ORCHIDS 



It is not the scientific view of this question which 

 concerns us. We are going to cultivate orchids, 

 and our study of them need not be carried beyond 

 the point necessary for that purpose. But he who 

 would succeed should know, in a general way, the 

 conditions under which these plants thrive at home, 

 so that he may be able to refer to First Principles 

 when perplexed. Let him be aware, nevertheless, 

 of unskilled advisers who have dwelt in lands where 

 orchids flourish, and therefore, as they say, " ought 

 to know something about them." Too often the 

 amateur listens to such well-meaning friends, and 

 suffers. I shall explain why they mislead him 

 presently. 



Strong, healthy roots, and many of them, are 



