THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



Odontoglossums is just after root disturbance, as it is 

 at that time an easy matter for the beginner to afford 

 too much water, thereby causing the roots to decay, 

 and the loss of much foliage. For a few weeks after 

 re-potting, it is advisable to afford water sparingly; but 

 a decidedly moist atmosphere should be maintained, and 

 as much fresh air admitted into the house as possible, 

 especially when the outside temperature is about 50 , 

 and the hygrometer within a few degrees of the satura- 

 tion point. When the plants begin to root freely, the 

 amount of water should be gradually increased, and 

 the atmospheric moisture reduced accordingly. 



The following list includes a few of the more beauti- 

 ful and desirable species and varieties that are suitable 

 for the cool house : — O. aspidorhinum, O. Bictonense, 0. 

 cordatum, and O. crispum. Few Orchids produce flowers 

 better adapted for cutting purposes than those of the 

 last-named species, as they remain fresh for at least ten 

 days or a fortnight when placed in water either in the 

 dwelling-house or where they are grown. Where large 

 quantities of this species are cultivated, some are to be 

 had in bloom throughout the year without intermission. 

 Its flowers vary from pure white, to white tinged with 

 rose, sometimes more or less spotted and blotched with 

 red or chocolate brown. 0. crispum is a very variable 

 species, and numerous beautiful and valuable forms have 

 appeared. 0. Edivardii, a very distinct species, the 

 flowers being of a purplish mauve, 0. g/oriosum, 0. 

 Hallii, 0. luteo-purpureum, 0. maculatum, 0. Madrense, 

 0. nebulosum, O. Nevadense, 0. Pescatorei, 0. polyxanthum, 

 O. ramosissimum, 0. sceptrum, 0. triumphans , and O. JJro- 

 Skinnerii. Besides these, there are numerous supposed 

 natural hybrids, as 0. Adrians, 0. Andersonianum, 0. 

 Ruckerianum, 0. elegans, 0. ex eel lens, and 0. Wilcheanum. 

 Such dwarf-growing species as Odontoglossum Cervantesii, 

 O. (Erstedii, 0. Rossii, and the natural hybrids 0. 



