THE MOST USEFUL ORCHIDS 85 



atmosphere, and a comfortable intermediate temperature when in 

 flower. Nearly all of the cultivated Dendrobiums flower in the 

 early spring, following a long resting season. New growth com- 

 mences at or about the time of the flowering, usually during March 

 and April, and it is the aim of cultivators to encourage the growth 

 by every possible means, so that it may be completed by the end of 

 the Summer or in early Autumn, while there is sufficient sunshine 

 to make the new stem or pseudo-bulbs firm or ripe before the 

 Winter, This ripening process is as essential as rapid and vigorous 

 growth, because upon it depends largely the extent and duration of 

 the flower crop the following Spring. Except when in flower, 

 Dendrobiums require little shading, a thin blind to break up the 

 rays of the sun during the hottest part of a brilliant Summer day 

 being sufficient. When growth has ceased for the year the plants 

 must be gradually inured to cooler and drier conditions, as their 

 leaves fall, and they cannot be given too much light from then on 

 to the tim^ of flowering ; and during that period no water will be 

 needed, unless the pseudo-bulbs show signs of shrivelling. 



It is a foolish practice to adhere rigidly to certain degrees of 

 temperature for Dendrobiums at certain seasons of the year. 

 Temperature should always be governed by the particular condi- 

 tion of the plant or plants under consideration, together with the 

 prevailing weather. But for the guidance of the uninitiated it may 

 be broadly stated that in the Winter, when Dendrobiums are at 

 rest, a temperature of not less than ^^ degrees should be maintained, 

 rising to 60 or even 6^ degrees on bright days, but nothing 

 should be done to excite the plants into premature growth. In 

 March and April Dendrobiums generally start into growth, and 

 this is the time for re-potting ; the temperature from this period 

 may rise from a minimum of 60 degrees at night to 70 or 75 

 degrees on bright warm days. The period of greatest vigour, the 



