PROPA GA TING— HYBRIDISING. 



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propagate deciduous calanthes by splitting the pseudo-bulbs vertically into three or four 

 pieces according to size, and placing them over bottom heat, or in a propagating case, 

 until they start into growth. 



In all cases, when division is practised, a little more care than usual should be 

 bestowed upon the plants. Both the parent plant and the divided portions should be 

 kept rather closer and more shaded than usual, for if the young plant has to establish 

 itself in a new home, the old one has to push new growth from weak and sometimes 

 partly dried-up buds. Plants of a pseudo-bulbous habit 

 sometimes get bare of young shoots and bulbs in the 

 centre, and in order to induce them to break back and 

 make a better shaped plant, the rhizome is partly cut 

 through to check the flow of sap to the leading buds, and 

 divert it to those which have before remained dormant. In 

 cases of this kind, the beginner should obtain a little 

 experience with plants of no particular value before taking 

 in hand rare or expensive species or varieties, for though 

 skilled cultivators use the knife with little fear, there is 

 always a certain amount of risk attending the operation. 



Hybridising. — The raising of orchids by cross-fertili- 

 sation is a fascinating pursuit, and to this interesting art 

 we owe some of the most beautiful orchids in existence. 

 Everyone should gain experience in ordinary culture before 

 attempting to raise seedlings, and must even then be pre- 

 pared for disappointment before success is attained. Still, 

 to those interested, there is in all this pleasurable excite- Fig. 22. 



. . Plantlet on Denduobium Stem. 



ment, quite distinct from ordinary culture, and anyone 



who will take the trouble to master a few technical points may attempt it with a 

 reasonable prospect of success. 



Always use for hybridising species of known merit, and the best varieties obtainable 

 of these species ; keep a careful record of all crosses, time of fertilisation, species or varie- 

 ties used as parents, and time of sowing ; unless something really new and distinct 

 results, never name the seedlings. To obtain seed of orchids, it is necessary to place the 

 pollen upon the stigma, this leading to the fertilizing of the ovules and seed production 

 as in other plants. In exotic orchids, as a rule, the pollen consists of waxy masses, 



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