The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



For those noted as requiring " Basket — warm 

 end," it must be taken, ipso facto, that such are to 

 be kept moist in winter and soaking in summer. 



The Harryana section, however, is that which 

 most interests my readers, probably. These plants 

 — and all others when nothing to the contrary is 

 stated — must be dried, though not parched, when 

 resting, in autumn and early winter. Even in 

 summer it is easy to water them too much. Many 

 growers exclaim in despair that the old leaves 

 cannot be prevented from developing those large 

 black spots which so often disfigure them. Perhaps 

 it is not true that they always come from an excess 

 of water, but that certainly is the most frequent 

 cause ; and the roots promptly decay in autumn if 

 too wet. 



The flower shoots up, or pushes down, from 

 the centre of the young leaf, as it approaches 

 maturity. 



Eed thrips and green fly love Masdevallias, and 

 they must not be combated by smoking with 

 tobacco. Dipping in the composition mentioned 

 is effectual, but it will not destroy the mother- 

 thrips, which have wings. " XL " exterminates, for 

 the time at least. It does not destroy scale, cer- 

 tainly, for nothing will ; nor slugs. These enemies 

 must be sought patiently. If allowed to establish 

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