THE MOST USEFUL ORCHIDS 127 



such growth, made in the dark, can seldom be saved, or, if saved, 

 is of little use. 



Assuming the beginner decides to start right away with im- 

 ported Odontoglossums, then a few dozen should be purchased at the 

 Orchid Sale Rooms, or through the medium of one of the nurserymen 

 who make a speciality of Orchids and Orchid culture. When the 

 plants arrive there will be intense disappointment unless the pur- 

 chaser is already acquainted with the appearance of imported 

 Odontoglossums. However, the first thing to do after unpacking 

 is to spread out the plants on the bench in the potting shed or 

 greenhouse, preferably the former, and examine each one care- 

 fully. The removal of all decaying matter is work of the first 

 importance, and ought to be followed by a thorough cleansing of 

 pseudo-bulbs and stems, so that any insects hiding snugly may be 

 ousted, and the subsequent new growth have the full benefit of 

 a clean start in life. These little attentions are all in the day's 

 work of an Orchid specialist, but they are apt to be omitted by the 

 novice, who, perchance, may have to pay rather heavily for the 

 omission, either in trouble with pests or the rotting of new 

 growths, or both. 



The next business is to give the plants a chance to grow, and 

 this is best done by laying them out on a bed of sphagnum moss 

 in the house where they are to be cultivated. If the moss is kept 

 moist by means of tepid water, the conditions provided will be 

 suitable; only during very fine and warm weather should the 

 plants be lightly sprayed with tepid water. Much heat given at 

 this period in the hope that the dormant plants will start into 

 growth more quickly, and profit thereby, will defeat the end in 

 view. In a few weeks indications of renewed vitality will be 

 clearly seen at the base of many of the pseudo-bulbs, and before 

 long new growths will appear. The temptation to hurry ofi^ to 



