Cultivation of orchids. 



335 



Only a very shallow compost is needed, and this should consist of equal parts of peat 

 and Sphagnum. 



The best time for rebasketing is immediately after the flowers fade. Water 

 should be given frequently and liberally during the growing season, but when the plants are 

 at rest keep the soil quite dry. Grow this species in the lightest position available in 

 this house, and w here it may obtain plenty of fresh air, especially at night. These cultural 

 remarks apply also to the Mexican Laslia anceps, L. autumnalis, L. albida, L. furfuraeea, 

 L. Gouldiana, L. Marriottiana, L. majalis, etc., all of which should be wintered in a cool, 

 rather dry greenhouse, where the average temperature is about 5oJeg. L. purnila and its 

 varieties, Dayana, marginata, and praestans, should be suspended in small pans. Grow the 

 plants during summer in the 

 cool house, and in the winter 

 with the Cattleyas, Where a 

 number of the following Ccelo- 

 gynes are grown, C. aspersa, 

 C. barbata, C. cristata, 

 C. corrugata, C. conferta, 

 C. Cumingi, C. Forstermanm, 

 C. fuliginosa, C. granulosa, 

 C. Massangeana, C. ocellata, 

 C. Sanderiana, C. sulphurea, 

 and C. tomentosa, one or 

 other of them will be in flower 

 throughout a considerable por- 

 tion of the year, and there- 

 fore will not all require 

 repotting at the same time. 

 The best time for this opera- 

 tion is when each plant is 

 starting into new growth, an J 

 the ordinary compost of peat 

 and Moss should be used. 

 The well-known C. cristata 

 and its varieties alba (holo 

 leuca), Chatsworth, maxima, 

 Lemoniana, etc., should have 

 a moderate amount of rough 

 turfy loam added to the com- 

 post. During the growing 

 season Ccelogynes delight in 

 copious waterings at long 

 intervals, and a daily overhead syringing in fine weather will promote clean, strong, healthy 

 growths ; the plants like plenty of light, but not strong sunshine. Such Cypripediums as 

 C. albo-purpureum, C. Arthurianum, C. Boxalli, C. Charlesworthi, C. caudatum, C. Domini, 

 C. Fairieanum, C. hirsutissimum, C. insigne, C. Juno, C. Leeanum, C. purpuratum, 

 C. Schlmi, C. Spicerianum, C. Statterianum, C. Sallieri, C. venustum, C. villosum, 

 C. vexillarium, and C. Winnianum all appreciate a cool, moist, shady corner of this house. 

 The butterfly Orchids, Oncidium Krameri and O. papilio, will grow in a light position in 

 this house, and will thrive equally well either on a bare block' of wood or, with a little 

 peat and Sphagnum to root in, in pot or basket. The flowers of these Oncidiums are always 

 highly appreciated, and the long stems will continue to send out flowers for a long period. 



MILTON I A ROEZLl ALBA. 



