December, 19 13.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



about 60 degs. in the daytime will be 

 comfortable for them. At night tmie it may 

 drop to 55 degs. Plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture is also a necessity. 



Another essential worth emphasising is 

 fresh air. If plants enjoy fresh air m the 

 daytime, why prevent them getting it m the 

 night? The air is naturally brisker and 

 fresher m the night and early morning, so 

 why shut the house up and debar the plants 



Although Oncidiums are generally con- 

 sidered difficult plants to cultivate for several 

 successive years in this climate, I can speak 

 from my own experience, based on the 

 routine culture mentioned, there is no reason 

 why deterioration should occur. I have the 

 same plants of O. varicosum after several 

 years' culture, and they have done better this 

 year than ever, one plant having 155 

 good-sized flowers, and others with spikes 



Oncidium varicosum, one of several examples flowering in the collection 

 of Alf. J. Paine, Esq. 



from it ? Consequently, I recommend a top 

 ventilator to be always a little open. The 

 bottom ventilators should be open every day, 

 remaining so until the early evening. Of 

 course, one must exercise reason and judg- 

 ment in this, and be governed by the outside 

 weather. If frost is about a little air should 

 still be given, and the temperature be main- 

 tained by additional fire heat. No direct cold 

 air should ever reach the plants, but a gentle, 

 warm circulation is beneficial. 



supporting over 100 flowers. The O. Forbesii 

 also flourish well, and have spikes with from 

 30-40 large flowers, which are particularly 

 handsome by reason of the polished surface 

 of the petals. 



It is usually considered necessary to cut off 

 the spikes after a short time, but I leave them 

 on generally until they begin to wither. 

 Why should not a healthy plant be able to 

 look after its own spike ? Of course, if an 

 indifferent plant is doing its utmost to flower 



