i6 ORCHIDS FOR EVERYONE 



from the beginning, rather than as one of a little colony growing 

 in a larger pot. When several seedlings occupy the same pot one 

 or two generally progress far more rapidly than the rest, but it 

 would not be in the best interests of the majority if these were 

 removed and given a separate existence before their brethren were 

 sufficiently advanced to receive similar treatment. 



For all seedling epiphytal Orchids a finely chopped compost 

 consisting of fibrous peat, broken leaves, and sphagnum, in equal 

 parts, will be found suitable, but suflScient silver sand must be 

 added to ensure porosity. For seedlings of terrestrial Orchids, such 

 as Calanthes, Cypripediums, Phaius, etc., a little loam fibre should 

 be added to the materials already advised. The pots must be 

 perfectly clean and, if new, be thoroughly soaked in water and 

 again dried before use. The need for perfect and ample drainage 

 will be apparent because, while it is essential that the compost is 

 never allowed to dry, it is equally essential that it shall not be 

 sodden or sour. Into the prepared compost the seedlings should 

 be placed firmly, and the work is best performed in a moist, shaded 

 house, so that the seedlings are not exposed to a dry atmosphere 

 when being transferred. A watering with tepid water, given 

 through a fine rose, will complete the operation. Sufficient 

 moisture must always be provided, ample shade, and the warm, 

 moist atmosphere of a stove or intermediate house must be afforded 

 for some time to come, and a sharp watch must be kept on the 

 sphagnum lest it grow strong enough to overtop the little seedlings. 



Those who raise Orchids for profit rather than for pleasure 

 know that time saved is also money saved, and so they do all in 

 their power to reduce the period of time that must necessarily 

 elapse between seed sowing and the appearance of the first flower. 

 Formerly, raisers considered it the correct thing to follow Nature 

 as closely as possible in their treatment of seedlings, forgetting that 



