134 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[March, 1914. 



damage may be done. If the springing is 

 done early in the da_\- much of the surplus 

 water will evaporate before the close of day. 

 A slight opening of the top ventilators 

 will also assist in removing an excess of 

 atmospheric moisture. 



Many Cattleyas as well as Laslias and 

 Laelio-Cattleyas will be forming new roots, 

 the greater number of which will break forth 

 from the base of the last made bulb. Those 

 that are pot bound or are in need of fresh 

 compost should receive attention before the 

 roots attain a length that renders them liable 

 to be easilv broken. 



Some of the most successful present-day 

 cultu ators keep these plants fairly dry during 

 the time when no new bulbs are being made, 

 and by this means encourage the formation 

 of new roots. All plants require a small 

 amount of moisture to ensure a health)- 

 existence, consequently with a drier compost 

 more root action is necessary to obtain the 

 requisite moisture, ^^'hen the growing season 

 arrives and more water is given to the plant 

 there is a very extensive means of gathering 

 nutriment, and a consequent improvement in 

 the quality of the new bulb is usually evident. 

 Moreover, the compost by being kept in a 

 drier state keeps quite sweet and lasts for a 

 longer period. 



Towards the end of the month Calanthes 

 should be potted, using a compost of good 

 fibrous loam, a small portion of partly 

 decayed leaves, and some sharp sand or small 

 crocks to maintain a porous condition. Each 

 bulb should be potted separately, and about 

 an inch of the old roots allowed to remain in 

 order to securely keep them in position. The 

 compost should not entirely fill the pot, a 

 space being necessary to allow a plentiful 

 supply of water being quickly given during 

 the hot weather. After the plants are potted 

 a light and warm position should be selected, 

 but no water will be required for several 

 weeks, not until the bulbs are rootine freely. 

 \\1ien water is applied too early the new 

 growth often turns black and perishes. A 

 light syringing between the pots in order 

 to produce a genial atmosphere is very 

 beneficial. 



CATTLEYAS FROM SEED. 



MANY amateurs who grow Orchids 

 to perfection are deterred from 

 attempting to indulge in the 

 fascinating hobby of raising them from seed, 

 owing to the belief that it is difficult. This 

 IS not the case, but the raiser must be 

 prepared to exercise a very great amount of 

 patience and care, and if added to this good 

 parents are employed for the production 

 of seedlings, some grand results can be 

 confidentl)- expected. 



Obviously, the first step is to select plants 

 for cross fertilisation, and this is accomplished 

 by first removing the pollen masses from the 

 flower destined to carry the seed pod, and 

 then to apply to the stigma of this flower the 

 pollen masses from another, which is a 

 delicate operation, best performed by a sharp 

 pencil or small piece of stick. Personally, I 

 use a pointed match for the purpose. 



If the process of cross fertilisation has been 

 correctly performed the ovary will begin to 

 swell and the flower quickly fade. Every 

 encouragement must now be given to the 

 plant to produce its seed pod by judicial 

 watering and giving plenty of diffused light. 

 The seed pod will continue to swell until, 

 after the lapse of eight or nine months, it will 

 be about the size of a hen's egg. When the 

 apex shows signs of splitting the pod should 

 be cut off and stored in a dry place until 

 required for sowing. 



Thoroughly cleanse a small Orchid pan, 

 and then select some of the best procurable 

 sphagnum moss and wrap it in canvas, 

 making it of suitable size to fit into the lower 

 portion of the pan. W^ater well, and after it 

 has well drained scatter the seed very evenly 

 and thinly on the canvas surface as well as on 

 the sphagnum moss. 



Stand the pan in a shad\- corner where the 

 temperature does not fall below 65 degs. 

 Fahr., and cover with a pane of glass. It 

 is of the utmost ini])ortance that this glass be 

 turned over and wiped daily, otherwise the 

 condensation will cause the seed to rot. 



Afford water whenever necessar\- be- 

 holding the pnn in ;i pail of tepid rain water. 



