THE ORCIIIl) WORLD. 



[I'\-bruar\ , 1915. 



RETARDING ORCHIDS. 



ALTHOUGH the retarding of florist's 

 flowers has been largely practised 

 for many years with considerable 

 couimercial success, it is only recently 

 that attention has been given to the 

 subject by Orchid growers. With the 

 ever increasing multitude of hybrids flower- 

 ing, as they do, throughout every week 

 of the year, it may be asked why there is any 

 necessity to attempt the production of Orchid 

 flowers outside their natural season. With 

 the amateur who has but one desire, and that 

 to see things as and when Nature demands, 

 there is, of course, no need to attempt the 

 alteration of the plants' respective seasons of 

 flowering ; but with the large trade growers, 

 who have to produce a quantity of bloom 

 during the certain seasons of the year when 

 market prices are at their best, it is at once 

 evident that every means must be utilised to 

 meet the demand. 



Although many species may be equally 

 beautiful to the eye, and may probably have 

 the same decorative effect, there is a vast 

 difference in their lasting qualities, and for 

 this reason some species have a higher 

 market value than others. For instance, 

 during the summer months the demand for 

 Cattleya Gaskelliana is good, but it ceases 

 directly C. labiata makes its appearance ; and 

 although the supply of the former may last 

 well into the autumn months it is practically 

 unsaleable on account of the better lasting 

 qualities of the latter species. No one, 

 therefore, ever thinks of attempting the 

 retardation of C. Gaskelliana. 



The flowers of Cattleya Trianas, which 

 open during the late winter months, are of a 

 comparatively thin and delicate structure, and 

 make poor subjects for cut-flower purposes, 

 but they fill up what is oftentimes a wide gap 

 between the autumn flowering C. labiata and 

 the spring flowering C. Mossiae. To cover 

 up this gap with better material is where the 

 retarding of C. labiata proves very useful and 

 effective. The process mainly consists of 

 starting the plants into growth late in the 

 spring months and delaying the production of 



the flowers by placing the plants, as soon 

 as their bulbs are matured, into cooler sur- 

 roundings. A cool corridor or house where the 

 atmosphere is fairly free from moisture proves 

 the most suitable- place, for when the plants 

 are m a comparatively dry state they safely 

 withstand a much lower temperature. 



The first year's treatment of this kind may 

 only cause the plants to flower about a month 

 later, but their resting season being propor- 

 tionately retarded causes them to commence 

 their new growth at a later period in the 

 following year, and their season of flowering 

 will then be two or three months later than 

 the normal time. Thus it is possible to ensure 

 a supply of Cattleya labiata right through the 

 winter season, and, as many have found to 

 their advantage, good Cattleyas make high 

 prices during Christmas week. 



Many of the Odontoglossums prove good 

 subjects, and with careful attention can be 

 made to produce their spikes several months 

 later than the normal flowering period. The 

 method of treating O. grande is as follows: — 

 Soon after the plants have finished flowering 

 the pots are laid on their side and no water 

 15 applied for some considerable time ; in fact, 

 they often pass right through the winter with 

 but little shriveflmg of the bulbs. In early 

 spring they are kept cool and dry, and 

 resemble imported plants, although their 

 leaves and roots are still intact and ready 

 to recommence activity as soon as the 

 necessary growing conditions are supplied. 

 In the early summer the plants are brought 

 back to light, heat and moisture, which induce 

 them to make good bulbs before the late 

 autumn months, and to produce their flowers 

 as late as November and sometimes December. 

 The plants appear little the worse after 

 several years of this special treatment. 



Dendrobiums usually open their flowers in 

 the late winter months, and it is but rarely 

 that there is any need to retard their normal 

 development. There are, however, a few 

 occasions when they prove of value, a notable 

 instance being the International Exhibition 

 of 191 2, when large numbers were used in the 

 making of the finest groups. But as Dendro- 

 biums require a comparatively long season of 



