340 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



ORCHIDS EASILY GROWN, WITH THEIR TREATMENT AFTER BEING IMPORTED. 



IT is not possible for those who have only a small house to grow many Orchids. The 

 family is too large and varied to cram into one, two, three, or even more structures ; and, 

 as has been already mentioned, some species and hybrids require skilful management, so 

 much so that only the experienced Orchid grower is likely to succeed. The following 

 kinds may be recommended to the beginner to form the nucleus of a collection : 



Orchids Requiring 

 a Warm House.— The deci- 

 duous Calanthes are most 

 useful for general decorations, 

 and for the supply of an 

 uninterrupted succession of 

 flowers suitable for cutting 

 during the winter months. 

 The best kinds to grow are 

 C . V e i t ch i , C . S e d e n i , 

 C. Victoria Regina, C. bella, 

 C. Burfordiense, and the pure 

 white C. Harrisi, all of which 

 are hybrids raised in this 

 country. Among the species 

 the finest are C. vestita lutea, 

 C. v. lutea, C. v. rubro- 

 oculata, C. rosea, C. Reg- 

 nieri, C. Sanderiana, and 

 C. Stevensi. Owing to their 

 easy propagation these plants 

 are rarely brought from their 

 native habitat, but if any- 

 one has imported plants 

 to deal with he should fix 

 the pseudo-bulbs in an upright 

 position, in the smallest pots 

 possible to hold them, using 

 dry Sphagnum Moss to keep 

 them firm. Immediately they 

 commence to break, repotthem, 

 using the following compost : One-half good fibrous loam, one-fourth leaf soil, and the remainder 

 finely-chopped Sphagnum Moss and coarse silver sand, the whole being well mixed together. 

 After being repotted, place the plants on the lightest side of the house, and give little water until 

 the roots are in full activity and the growths appear vigorous, then the supply should be 

 gradually increased. After the flowering season Calanthes require a long dry rest, and 

 should be kept in the warm house on a shelf near the roof glass. The proper time to 

 repot established plants is about March, when they commence to grow. Dendrobiums 

 have always been regarded as easy to cultivate, and for usefulness where cut flowers are 

 required in quantity the well-known varieties of D. nobile, D. Wardianum, D. crassinode, 

 D. aureum, D. Dearei, and D. Phakenopsis Schroderianum are unsurpassed. Dendrobiums 

 newly imported should be placed in pots just large enough to hold them for one 

 season, the pots being nearly filled with drainage materials, making the plants quite firm 

 by tying the bulbs to neat sticks. The crocks in which the plants are placed should be 



AERIDES. 



