326 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING 



grown in small pans, with 

 perforated holes around the 

 sides, and suspended close up 

 to tlie roof glass. Pots are 

 more suitable for the upright- 

 growing kinds, and may be 

 stood down upon the ordinary 

 stage. The stronger-growing 

 kinds, which include D. Dal- 

 housfianum, D. Calceolus, 

 D. clavatum, D. binoculare, 

 D. dixanthum, D. fimbriatum , 

 D. moschatum, and D. Pax- 

 toni, should be afforded a 

 similar position. These 

 Dendrobiums when in full 

 growth require liberal supplies 

 of water at the root, but when 

 the new pseudo-bulbs are fully 

 made up gradually diminish the quantity. In order to maintain a vigorous constitution it is neces- 

 sary that each plant should make but one set of growths annually, and these growths should be 

 thoroughly ripened. Therefore immediately a plant has completed its growth remove it from the 

 house in which it has been growing, and place it in a far less shaded one where the atmosphere is 

 drier and less close. No better place could be selected than a cool greenhouse, or, perhaps better still, 

 a vinery from which the grapes have been gathered, where, as the leaves fall from the vines, the 

 Orchids will have moderate shade at first, gradually passing to clear sunshine. Under such 

 treatment the new growths become matured, and in the proper season bloom profusely. 

 None of these Dendrobiums should be allowed to rest in a lower temperature than 50deg. 

 During the resting period jjjve little water. They should be carefully looked over periodically, 

 and only those with pseudo-bulbs that show signs of shrivelling should be watered. Over- 

 watering will weak-en the growths. When the plants have had sufficient rest they will 

 commence to show their flower buds, when they may be removed to an intermediate house 

 temperature to flower. Alter the flowers fade new growths appear, and quickly commence 

 to emit new ri ots from their base, whilst if a plant requires repotting, no better time could 

 be chosen for the operation than this, and in repotting Dendrobiums care must be taken 

 not to place them in very large pots, because if the roots get into a mass of sodden 

 material they speedily decay. Therefore in all cases the pots or pans used must be small 

 in proportion to the sizes of the plants, and they must be well drained, leaving space for about 

 2in. of compost, which should consist of fibrous peat and Sphagnum Moss in equal parts. 

 When repotting it is important to make the compost quite firm, those with drooping stems 

 being tied to the wire of the pan, using neat sticks for the upright-growing kinds. Such 

 beautiful species as D. Phakenopsis, D. bigibbum, D. Bensonice, D. superbiens, D. secundum, 

 D. taurinum, D. stratiotes, D. strebloceras, and D. Goldei should be placed near to the roof 

 glass, where they may obtain plenty of sunlight, which is indispensable to success, and in 

 the hottest position available. Small shallow pans that can be suspended, with a very thin 

 layer of peat for the plants to root in, are excellent. During the height of the growing season 

 an abundance of water both at the root and in the atmosphere is necessary. After the 

 plants have flowered give them a long rest, placing them in a moderately dry house 

 where the winter temperature is about 6odeg. While at rest keep the compost rather dry, 

 but not so dry as to cause the bulbs to shrivel. The evergreen section, such as 

 D. thrysiflorum, D. densiflorum, D. Fia'meri, D. Schroder^, D. Griffithianum, D. palpebra?, 



