CHAPTER 24 



ORCHIDS {Orchidacea) 



Of the numerous orchids, the following arc the 

 important commercial genera with their cultural 

 requirements : 



Culture of Calanthe 



These are easily grown in pots or in beds, about 

 one-third space being devoted to drainage by m^eans 

 of a layer of clean sphagnum. The pseudobulbs 

 are then planted in a compost which is made up of 

 one-third chopped sod with the fine soil removed, 

 one-third chopped live sphagnum and leaf mold to 

 which charcoal is added as a sweetener. Calanthes 

 require a winter night temperature of about 50 to' 

 55 degrees and a day temperature of 65 to 70 de- 

 grees F. The plants require an abundance of water 

 during the growing period, but less when the leaves 

 start to drop and blossoming begins. At this stage, 

 only enough water is needed to keep the blossoms 

 from wilting. When the blossoming season is over 

 the plants are given a six weeks' rest. The pots 

 with the pseudobulbs are laid on the side in a dry 

 warm place and the soil kept dry. 



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