CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS. 



341 



sparingly watered at first, and as soon as the young growths and roots have fairly started, 

 peat and Sphagnum Muss may be packed firmly around the base. Keep the new plants in 

 an intermediate temperature until they have made a good start, when they should be 

 placed in a hot moist position in the " growing " house. Newly-imported Cypripediums, such 

 as C. barbatum, C. superbiens, C. Argus, C. Hookers, C. callosum, C. ciliolare, etc., may 

 with safety be potted in well-drained peat and Sphagnum Moss soon after arrival, but such 

 species as C. Stonei, C. Lowi, C. Rothschildianum, C. Parishi, C. Chamberlainianum, 

 C. Sanderianum, etc., should be placed in small pots, keeping the base of the foliage on a 

 level with the rim of the pot and Tilling up with crocks only. They should be well supplied 

 with moisture through the crock's, but w ater must not be allowed to get into the grow ths or 

 in the axils of the leaves, as the}' are extremely liable to decay from this cause. 



PLANTS LOR INTERMEDIATE HOUSE.— Few, if any, Orchids are handsomer than the 

 beautiful Cattleyas and Laslias. Plants of these species may be had in bloom nearly the 

 whole year round, beginning 

 in January, February, and 

 March with the numerous 

 varieties of C. Trianas, fol- 

 lowing which in April are 

 C. Schrodera?, C. Law- 

 renceana, then in May and 

 June C. Mendeli, C. Mossiae, 

 C. Skinned, and L;elia pur- 

 purata; July, L. tenebrosa, 

 L. elegans; August, C. gigas, 

 C. Dowiana and its variety 

 aurea; September and Octo- 

 ber, the well-known C. labiata 

 autumnalis, C. Gaskelliana, 

 C . Bo w r i n g i a n a , a n d 

 L. pumila ; November and 

 December, C. Percivalliana, 

 Laelia autumnalis, L. anceps 

 and its many distinct varieties. 

 Newly-imported Cattleyas and 

 Laelias should on their arrival 

 be treated similarly to the 

 Dendrobiums. In order to 

 induce root activity the atmo- 

 sphere surrounding the plants 

 should be kept moist, and 

 pour water through the erodes 

 two or three times a week', 

 but no water should be allowed 

 to touch the pseudo-bulbs or 

 rhizomes, especially those of the L. anceps type, for fear of rotting them. Immediately these 

 plants begin to grow, or young roots commence to push out, pot them in equal parts of peat and 

 Moss, and it is advisable to intermix large crocks with the compost so as to prevent rapid decay 

 and improve the drainage. When in full growth Cattleyas and Laelias should be watered 

 only when the soil is properly dry, and then a thorough watering should be given. 

 Miltonia Vexillaria is a general favourite among Orchidists, it being useful as a decorative 

 plant, also for exhibition, for it is rarely absent from any large early summer show. At 



ONCIDIUM ORXITHORIIYXCfl UM. 



