THE ORCHID WORLD. [February, 1914. 



specimens have been cultivated b\' an almost 

 total absence of shading, the only material 

 used being thin muslm, or similar material, 

 suspended from the roof inside the house. 

 By this means the heat of the sun is still 

 procured in the house, although its fiercest 

 rays are prevented from reaching the plants. 



Cypripediums of the late flowering kinds 

 will also require attention. If the compost 

 used for these plants is of good lasting nature 

 it will keep sound for two or three years. 

 Then some of the plants may be selected for 

 repotting each year, and the result will be 

 better than if the whole batch is potted 

 during the same period. If a few plants can 

 be cultivated into specimens, the best way 

 will be to cut ofl" the flower-buds as soon as 

 they appear, and thus throw all available 

 strength into the making of new growth. 

 After two or three years of this treatment the 

 plant will be in a very vigorous condition, 

 and when carrying a large number of flowers 

 will make a ffne exhibition subject. 



One-third of the compost should consist of 

 good turfy loam, the remaining two-thirds 

 may consist of a mixture of lumpy peat, 

 sphagnum moss, coarse sand, and some leaf 

 mould. The pots must be well crocked to 

 prevent the material from being washed 

 away when copious supplies of water are 

 given during the summer months. In order 

 to allow plenty of water being given in a 

 short space of time the top of the compost 

 should be about half an inch with small pots, 

 and one inch with large ones, below the rim 

 of the pot. 



Lycaste Skinneri requires very similar 

 compost to that of Cypripediums, both being 

 terrestrial in habit. It is one of the easiest 

 Orchids to grow and can be well recom- 

 mended to amateurs. Although a damp 

 atmosphere is beneficial to the plant when 

 growth is being made, care should be taken 

 to prevent water remaining on the flowers, 

 for they soon spot and are badly disfigured 

 even by an excess of atmospheric moisture 

 when the nights are cold. These matters are 

 easily overcome by the amateur who really 

 loves his plants, and who strives to obtain 

 the best results. 



DENDROBIUM CULTURE. 



M'VN V Dendrobiums are now showing 

 their flower-buds, and will need 

 careful attention regarding the 

 application of water and the sustamment of 

 a slightly higher temperature. All plants 

 with shrivelled bulbs will require gradual 

 plumping up, so that there may be an ample 

 supply of material to nourish the developing 

 buds. This process must be carried out slowl\-, 

 any undue or sudden excitement may trans- 

 form the buds into vegetative growths, which 

 are only required when an increase of stock is 

 necessary to replenish worn out specimens. 



Success in producing a large luiiiiljer of 

 fine blooms will much depend on the good 

 judgment of the cultivator. If the compost 

 IS kept too dry a check is given to the whole 

 plant, and should this occur during the 

 development of the flowers their size will be 

 considerably reduced. Too low a tempera- 

 ture when the plant is m an active state, 

 either of growth or producing blooms, w'ill 

 also mean a check, \ arying 111 intensity as the 

 deficiency of warmth increases. 



Dendrobiums can withstand a fairly low 

 temperature during the winter months, so 

 long, of course, as they remain in a dormant 

 condition, but when once the formation of the 

 buds has commenced then the temperature 

 must be increased accordingly. No great 

 change should occur suddenly, everything in 

 nature takes place gradually, therefore an 

 increase of a few degrees each week until a 

 day temperature of about 60 degrees is 

 reached will be found \ ery beneficial. Some 

 amateuis erroneously believe that because a 

 Dendrobium can just exist in a certain low 

 temperature there will be no need to increase 

 it when the flowering season arrives. There 

 is a vast difference between the minimum and 

 optimum temperature. In the former the 

 plant just exists, and no more ; in the latter 

 it flourishes at its best. In the application 

 of water and the sustainment of certain 

 temperatures we have two powerful growth 

 stimulants, and so long as the practical 

 grower fully understands their importance 

 considerable success may be achieved. 



