66 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[December, I9i4. 



Notes on Cultivation. 



As a plant in universal request, it is, as 1 

 have previously stated, grown under various 

 conditions ; but to achieve the finest results 

 some definite routine of management is 

 imperative. I am well aware that there are 

 other modes of cultivation quite as successful 

 as the one here laid down, but the line of 

 practice is the one adopted l)y myself, and, 

 if I may be allowed to sa\' so, with the most 

 gratif}'ing results. 



The majority of the varieties are extremely 

 vigorous of constitution, and so far defy bad 

 and indifferent treatment as to render them 

 suitable for amateurs who have not too much 

 time to bestow upon the plants, but who love 

 them nevertheless. An up-to-date collection 

 of C. msigne is so varied that there must be 

 differences in respect of their requirements. 

 It will also be observed that there is con- 

 siderable diversity in the width and strength 

 oF the foliage, as well as in the rooting 

 systems of the plants. Such details must be 

 carefully noted when potting the plants, the 

 feeble rooters never being placed m large 

 pots, while the strong growers may have a 

 material shift as regards the size of pot. 



C. insigne is often recommended as a cool- 

 house Orchid, but I have never seen a 

 satisfactory si^ecimen produced under those 

 conditions, and I do not, therefore, advise that 

 it 'hould be treated as such. The flowers on 

 ihe half-starved plants grown in a cool house 

 ;irc midgets compared to those yielded under 

 more favourable conditions. The plants 

 succeed best in a warm winter temperature of 

 about 55 degs. to 60 degs. During the 

 summer months they must be shaded from 

 strong sunshine, and the atmos]ihcre must be 

 kept humid at all times ; much less moisture 

 W'ill suffice m the winter. A useful guide is 

 the greater the heat the more the moisture, 

 as they will withstand the heat provided that 

 there is an abundance of moisture. The 

 plants are best raised well up to the glass, to 

 prevent the leaves becoming drawn. They 

 should be supplied with frc^h air at all 

 seasons. 



Potting. -The best time to repot the 



plants is shortly after flowering, when the 

 half-developed new growths are about to 

 push roots ; if one can anticipate these roots 

 so much the better, as the plant then 

 re-establishes itself more quickly. The pots 

 must be clean and well-drained. A layer of 

 2 inches of clean crocks is ample, placed 

 carefully in position, as drainage does not 

 depend so much on the quantity of material 

 used as the way m which it is disposed in the 

 receptacles. In repotting the plants, as much 

 as possible of the old material ought to be 

 removed without damaging the roots, and the 

 old woody rhizome must be cut away, as if 

 allowed to remain it often causes decay in the 

 centre. 



Compost. — A suitable compost is made up 

 as follows : Equal parts of peat, Osmunda, 

 At, and loam fibre mixed with a liberal 

 ;iddition of sphagnum moss. All the earthy 

 particles should be removed from the peat 

 and other fibres. The material must be made 

 firm about the roots, and it ought to be 

 heated to the same degree as the tempera- 

 ture of the house in which the plants are 

 growing ; this is easily accomplished by 

 placing the compost in the house overnight. 



Propagation. — This is effected by 

 division, and in the case of C. i. Sanderae it 

 can also be done by raising seedlings 

 fertilised with its own pollen, which 

 invariably come true. This is rather 

 remarkable, as generally when this variety is 

 used as a parent its progeny reverts to a 

 normal t)-pe. It is not desirable to divide 

 the plants into small pieces, as pieces of fair 

 size produce flowers of the best quality, while 

 small portions are not, in some cases, the best 

 of growers. 



Watering. — The amount of water ajiplied 

 to the roots of any plant grown in a pot 

 depends n great deal upon the nature of the 

 compost. Should the material be close and 

 retentive much less water will be required 

 than when an open and porous mixture is 

 used. Soft water, whenever obtainable, 

 should always be preferred both for root 

 application and spraying, and it should be as 

 nearly as possible of the same temperature as 

 tlie house. Cold liard water is liable to cause 



