168 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JUNE, 1903. 
vigorous growth, however, is present in more or less degree in all seedling 
Cattleyas or Laliass: occick os 
‘The only debatable ground Orchid cultivators now have seems to be 
the question of material in which to grow them, and discussion will 
certainly continue for some time to come. Under different hands equally 
skilled the same excellent results appear to have been attained with widely 
-different materials. 
‘“‘ One grower asserts that he has every reason to be satisfied with the 
use of a mineral substance or fibre with not a particle of vegetable matter in 
it, and by its use sick plants were made well and thrifty. 
‘Our experience with fifty plants potted in half fermented leaves was 
that forty-eight retrogressed and the other two made strong growths, 
which they would have done undoubtedly whatever the material. The 
balance will need a year at least to regain that which was lost—nearly all 
their roots. 
“‘ We never use for Cattleyas and Lelias anything other than sound 
Osmunda fibre, and those who have seen the plants here agree that nothing 
-could excel the vigour of the plants so treated. If it were possible to have 
living sphagnum over the surface of the material it would, perhaps, be 
-desirable ; but certain properties contained in the water here make it im- 
"possible to have sphagnum live and grow among the potting material. 
“ With Osmunda fibre it is seldom indeed that a plant becomes over- 
watered, and this is the source of about all the trouble Orchids give us, 
apart from insect pests. In hot weather the plants may be deluged over- 
head daily, preferably in the evening, for then the moisture is conducted to 
the tender, absorbent tips of the roots; these in the morning may be 
observed as quite mucilaginous, owing to the quantity of water taken up 
during the night, and conducted to the proper source in the genial air and 
warmth of the day, building up strong, fat bulbs that promise a fine display 
at their respective seasons of bloom. 
“A number of years ago Mr. Wm. Matthews, of Utica, N. Y., a 
pioneer in Orchid culture, advised spraying in the evening. We were at 
that time in a receptive stage, and, practising it, soon had reason to 
wonder why the progress of the plants should be so marked, and the 
conclusion arrived at is as given above. It is advisable only when root 
action is taking place, and not when the plants are resting, though when in 
cold weather strong fire heat is used we water late in the day to counteract 
its evil effects. 
“The foregoing remarks are merely suggestions, and are given because 
they helped, in fact, made, the conditions under which it was possible to 
raise and grow the seedling Lzlias and Cattleyas that are here, and of which 
the best are yet to bloom.”—E. O. Orper. 
Pee 0 ee 
Me ae ea LO ver ea 
