﻿THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



[May, 1904- 



THE AMATEUR'S COLLECTION. 



We have again been urged to give some notes writ I en especially for 

 beginners in Orchid culture and those who have only very small collections, 

 and will endeavour to comply, though at the outset it may be remarked that 

 it is difficult to write anything which is specially applicable to individual 

 cases, as tastes differ, and the conditions vary so greatly. 



In nine cases out of ten the probability is that beginners in Orchid 

 culture have some house or houses devoted to ordinary plants, and wish to 

 add a few Orchids to their collection. It may be an ordinary greenhouse, a 

 vinery, a plant stove, or a house best suited for a fernery, or possibly all 

 combined, in which latter case one is the more likely to find a suitable 

 situation for any particular Orchid which strikes his fancy. Of the houses 

 named probably the plant stove will prove the more accommodating, for it 

 is provided with the requisite conditions in the shape of heat, moisture, 

 shading, and ventilation, and there are many < )n:hids which thrive insuch a 

 structure, sometimes indeed quite as well as in a special Orchid house ; the 

 reason being that their special requirements are provided for. Cool Orchids 

 are generally the more popular, but the attempt to introduce them into an 

 ordinary greenhouse is not often a success, the reason being that in most 

 cases such a house is too dry and draughty, and often insufficiently shaded. 

 In these respects a cool fernery is better adapted to the purpose, because 

 shade and moisture are better provided for. In fact, successful Orchid 

 growing depends largely upon the provision of a suitable atmosphere — that 

 is, one containing the proper amount of heat and moisture. This, of course, 

 varies according to the season of the year, and to the class of Orchid 

 cultivated, but it is one of the first essentials. And a suitable atmosphere 

 depends on the proper management and use of the heating apparatus, venti- 

 lators, shading, and the supply of moisture. The structure and aspect of 

 the house should also be considered when adapting it to Orchid culture. A 

 lean-to house facing due south, for example, being unsuitable for cool 

 Orchids. 



When new houses are to be built for the purpose the case is much 

 simpler, as a suitable position can be selected, and proper houses erected, 

 in which the details have been specially arranged for Orchid culture. Some 

 of our horticultural firms have made a speciality of this kind of house, in 

 which the ventilators, heating apparatus, shading, &c, are all arranged on 

 up-to-date principles. In such houses the culture of Orchids is compara- 

 tively easy, if ordinary attention is given. 



The selection of a site for the house is of great importance. It should 

 be screened from the east and north-east, as the cold dry winds from that 

 quarter are very injurious to Orchids. If there are no buildings in the 



