18 



ORCHIDS. 



peratnre will rise a few degi^ees higher. Air must then be 

 given so as to keep it about 65° ; but a few degrees of 

 solar warmth above this point will do no harm. A little 

 air should be given on eveiy fine day, in order to dry up 

 damp ; but the air must be admitted close to the hot- water 

 pipes, so that it may become warm on entering the house. 

 As to those plants that come from the hotter parts of India, 

 the temperature should not be allowed to go below 60°. 

 The Mexican house should range from 50° to 55° by night, 

 and from 55° to 60° by day; this should not be allowed to 

 go below 50° at night. 



Rest is induced by lowering the temperature, and with- 

 holding water from the plants ; during this season they 

 should only receive sufficient water to keep them from 

 shrivelling. There are, however, some plants that will 

 gi'ow dming the ^vinter months, as many of the Aerides, 

 Yandas, Saccolabiums, Phalsenopsis, Zygopetalums, and 

 similar kinds. These will requke water at the roots to 

 keep them increasing, but care should be taken not to wet the 

 young shoots, for if they get wet they are veiy apt to rot at 

 this season of the year. Those that are growing should be 

 placed at the warmest end of the house. 



Some Orchids are deciduous, losing thek leaves after 

 they have finished their growth. To this class belong 

 Cyrtopodiums, Barkerias, Cycnoches, Phajus albiis, some of 

 the Denclrohiums, Ccelogyne ynaculata, C. Wallichiana, and 

 many others. I always place these so that they may have 

 as much light and sun during their season of rest as pos- 

 sible. This is the only way to ripen their bulbs, which 

 causes them to grow stronger and flower more freely. 

 These plants require but veiy little water when at rest. 

 But when such plants as Vandas, Angraecums, Aerides, 

 Saccolabiums, and Phalgenopsis are at rest, they should 

 never be allowed to get too dry at the roots : the moss 



