338 



EPIPHYTAL TROPICAL ORCHIDE^. 



collection of Orchidese, and occupy but little space that could be useful to 

 other plants. 



It would appear that the most minute and most delicate species thrive 

 best when fastened to pieces of wood and suspended ; for in this way 

 they are less liable to be injured by wood-lice, damp, or by being overrun 

 by other fast-growing sorts. Of the genera which thrive best in this way 

 we may mention Ornithoce])haluSy Stelisy Octomeria, Trizeuwis, Pleuro- 

 thalUs, Fernandesia, &c. 



A few of the most rapid-groAving kinds, particularly those with long 

 pendulous branches, like some of the Dendrobiums, cultivated in baskets 

 or pots, and suspended from the roof, give the house a very handsome 

 appearance ; but they should not be placed over those deUcate ones which 

 require little water, because the drip from them would injure those below. 



TEMPERATURE AND ATMOSPHERE. 



Various experiments and the result of practice appear to have suffici- 

 ently established that a high temperature, and an atmosphere almost 

 saturated with moisture, are essential requisites for the successful cultiva- 

 tion of this tribe. It has been found that no temperature or soil A^iU sustain 

 them in drought, and when warmth and humidity were supplied in sufficient 

 abundance, soil was apparently of no importance. It may not be amiss 

 to lay down here something hke positive data on this important point of 

 culture, and, therefore we would say, that the mean temperature of the 

 day should be about eighty-five degrees, and that of the night ten or fifteen 

 degrees less ; the degree of humidity should be within a few degrees of 

 saturation : this is to be understood as applying to them only during 

 their season of growth. During their season of repose the heat should 

 not exceed sixty-five degrees, nor be less than fifty-five degrees j while 

 this low temperature is maintained, watering must be lessened in pro- 

 portion, seldom giving any at the roots, or at least no more than will 

 preserve the plants from perishing. The atmosphere during this period 

 should also be kept dry ; and although many of the plants may appear of 

 a yellowish cast and rather sickly appearance, this regimen is not to be 

 deviated from, for when their season of growth arrives, if attended to, with 

 abundance of heat, water, and room, they will not only grow much more 

 luxuriantly, but flower better, than if they were kept in a state of constant 

 excitement during the whole year. 



" High temperature and excessive humidity are together the only con- 

 ditions essential to the well-being of these plants. The hottest countries. 



