THE MOST USEFUL ORCHIDS 133 



splendidly in gardens where there are but few Orchids of any kind, 

 and where there is no pretence made of understanding even these 

 few. A careful consideration of the annual round of a plant's life 

 is essential if we are to be successful in its cultivation. Cattleyas 

 cannot succeed if treated like Phalaenopsis ; some of the Mexican 

 Odontoglossums must be treated differently to the Colombian 

 species ; but then the same idea holds good in other families of 

 plants. For instance, it is painfully easy to come a cropper with 

 the beautiful Hippeastrums, especially if their natural conditions 

 of Ufe are deliberately ignored, and they are given the same con- 

 ditions as either Amaryllis Belladonna, Crinum giganteum, 

 Hamanthus sanguinea, or Agave americana, all of which belong 

 to the same Natural Order, and are therefore related to the 

 Hippeastrums. The mistakes mostly made are not those of 

 temperature, but those of watering. 



When an imported Odontoglossum is potted, or an established 

 plant is re-potted, neither will need much water at the roots until 

 root action is vigorous. A moist atmosphere and comparatively 

 little ventilation for a fortnight after the operation will assist the 

 plants, and obviate the need of much water to keep the potting 

 compost moist. When an Odontoglossum has flowered, and the 

 spike has been removed, it should have a reduced water supply for 

 a few weeks, but the supply must not be so reduced as to cause 

 the pseudo-bulbs to shrivel or the leaves to fall. This treatment 

 will have the effect of giving the plant a short rest, but it must 

 not be prolonged. At the first sign of new growth, or with a 

 view of inducing new growth to start, moister rooting conditions 

 must soon be resorted to ; but it is while growth and root action 

 are both free that the largest supply of water will be needed. 

 Every plant must be dealt with according to its immediate condi- 

 tion and needs. It is impossible to succeed with Odontoglossums 



