FEBRUARY, 1903.] — THE ORCHID REVIEW. 6r 
ORCHID HYBRIDISATION. 
WE have been asked to give some particulars respecting the fascinating 
work of hybridising Orchids, and as most growers are now interested in 
the question, and have already made more or less successful experiments. 
in this direction, we have much pleasure in complying. And we may 
add that in the highly critical operation of germinating and raising the 
seedlings we have secured the co-operation of one of our most successful 
hybridists. 
We cannot wonder that amateurs are drawn to this particular side 
of Orchid culture, even if at the outset they do not expect to produce. 
much in the way of novelty, for every stage of the subject is interesting— 
the pollination of the flower, the development of the capsule, the sowing 
and germinating of the seed, and the gradual progress of the young 
seedlings from the minutest atom up to the time when the scape pushes. 
forth and the flower bud at length unfolds. 
For the beginner no elaborate preparations are necessary. Such 
materials as are ready to hand in his collection will serve as a commence- 
ment, and it would be well to begin with some easy subject, leaving the 
more ambitious crosses until such time as he has gained a little experience. 
But it would be well to start with some definite object in view, and crosses 
which are likely to yield hybrids of inferior quality should be avoided. 
Good forms of the parents should be selected, and the seed parent should 
be strong, and in such a condition that it will not require repotting till the 
capsule is mature. 
The first stage of the operation consists in removing the pollinia from 
the seed parent. These are found contained in a little case at the top of 
the column, and may be easily moved with a pencil, piece of stick, or in 
some cases with the fingers, by lifting the case upwards and removing the 
waxy substance, which generally adheres entire if properly done. In the 
case of a Cypripede there are two anthers (not enclosed in a case) one 
opposite to each lateral opening at the base of the lip, and these should be 
carefully broken or cut off entire. Now take the pollen in the same way 
from the other flower, and apply it to the stigma, when it will adhere. 
The stigma is the somewhat hollowed out organ with a sticky surface, just 
underneath the anther on the front of the column, or in the case of the 
Cypripede the shield-shaped body, pointing face downwards, inside the lip 
(not the upper one, which is the staminode). This operation is called 
pollination. 
Any one may familiarise himself with the structural details by pulling 
a few flowers to pieces, and should any difficulty occur some friend may 
generally be found who has had the necessary experience. 
