THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



houses should, when down, be about six inches above 

 the glass. This is best done by fixing above the roof, 

 from top to bottom, strips of wood or iron on which 

 to run the rollers. By this plan abundance of air 

 passes up between the blind and glass, the benefit of 

 which, as regards the growing of Orchids, especially 

 in summer, cannot be too highly estimated. It is an 

 advantage that the blinds on the East Indian and 

 Cattleya divisions roll flat upon the roof glass, as a 

 maximum of sun heat without scorching is the thing 

 required by the inmates of both houses. 



Watering 



There can be no doubt that the health of Orchids 

 depends in a great measure on the supply of water, on 

 its quality, and on the time at which and the manner in 

 which it is given. Rain water is most natural, and is, 

 consequently, the best water for the plants, particularly 

 for syringing purposes, and means should be taken to 

 store a sufficient quantity for use. Some cultivators are 

 under the impression that it is essential to have hot 

 water pipes running through all the tanks inside the 

 houses, in order to warm the water before giving it to 

 the plants, and to dispense humidity. Both ideas are 

 wrong, the latter practice especially being at times 

 injurious to the plants in several ways. If the tank in 

 the hottest house be provided with a two-inch branch 

 pipe, which does not interfere with the working of the 

 ordinary pipes, and having a valve outside to regulate the 

 circulation, that will be sufficient. During the summer, 

 when the temperature is about 66° or 68°, and in winter, 

 when it is from 6o° to 62% the valve should be closed, 

 the water being then warm enough for all purposes 

 in that house, but for the Cattleya and intermediate 



