April, 1914.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



157 



the day there is much risk of the plants 

 becoming" scorched. 



The bhnds should be removed early 

 enough to allow the settmg sun to warm the 

 house before its power has completely gone. 

 A couple of hours' sunshine, whenever it is 

 possible to allow it without scorching the 

 plants, acts as a fine tonic. Everything in 

 the house then becomes comfortably warm 

 and maintains a genial atmosphere for several 

 subsequent hours. 



Fine weather is as valuable to the 

 Orchidist as sunshine is to the farmer, and 

 the well-known saying, " Make hay while the 

 sun shines," should be borne in mind by both. 



ONCIDIUM PAPILIO. 



ONE of the great attractions of Orchids 

 IS the quaint and strangel}--formed 

 blooms produced by many, and 

 although proving of immense pleasure and 

 interest to those who value them for their 

 scientific or botanical cunosit)-, they do not 

 always appeal to those who prefer 

 gorgeously coloured showy blooms. 



The above species, however, well appeals 

 to both sections, for besides being most 

 peculiarly structured, nevertheless bears 

 blossoms of size and brilliancy of colouring. 

 On account of its resemblance to a butterfly, 

 the common name of Butterfly Orchid is 

 frequently applied to this graceful Trinidad 

 plant. The flowers are carried on long erect 

 spikes, and are of rich reddish-brown, the lip 

 bright yellow, much spotted with brick-red. 

 After the blooms have faded others will be 

 produced from the same spike, but after this 

 has borne three flowers it should be cut off, 

 or the plant will become weak and make 

 unsatisfactory growth. 



A light position on a shelf near the roof 

 glass of a Cattleya house, where the minimum 

 winter temperature is 50 deg. Fahr., will suit 

 this Orchid admirably. During the growing 

 season, from March to September, a humid 

 atmosphere, with overhead spraying and 

 watering, will Vje frequently needed, but when 

 the spikes arc removed a considerable rest 

 is required, only giving sufficient water to 

 prevent undue shrivelling of the bulbs. 



I find that sturdier growth is made when 

 practically no shade is given, just a thin piece 

 of tiffany over the roof glass being needed 

 during Iul\- and August. In common 

 with the other occupants of the house, a 

 well ventilated atmosphere is at all times 

 needed. 



Being a low growing Orchid, which makes 

 but few roots, I find that pans are far 

 preferable to pots for its accommodation. A 

 change of compost is needed every other year, 

 this being best performed when the plants 

 re-start into active growth. Before being 

 placed in the new receptacle they should 

 have their dead roots and back bulbs 

 removed. Two old bulbs to support each lead 

 are ample, as the others merely act as a drain 

 upon those of more recent formation. 



For compost use a mixture of Polypodium 

 or A I fibre and green living sphagnum moss, 

 mixing well together and use in a damp 

 condition. All newly-potted plants will need 

 shading and careful watering until quite 

 re-established in the new compost. This 

 Orchid is not much subject to insect pests, 

 but scale is occasionally found, and this must 

 be gently scraped off and burnt. A good 

 in.secticide wash will prove beneficial. The 

 leaves are too leathery in texture to be loved 

 by thrips, whilst slugs do not show einy 

 liking for its firm flower spikes. 



Many growers do not succeed in keeping 

 this species in a good state of health, but I 

 think this can be ;ittributed to allowing the 

 ])lants to over-flower themselves, and also to 

 too low a temperature. As previously said, 

 50 deg. Fahr. must be regarded as the 

 minimum temperature, but if plenty of 

 atmospheric moisture be present in the house, 

 the thermometer may be allowed to run up 

 to a very high degree during the day in 

 summer. In these days of startling novelties 

 produced by cross-fertilisation many reni;irk- 

 able hybrids have been produced, and 

 it wtjuld be interesting to know whether any 

 hyfjrids from this species are in existence. 

 From my own experience, its pollen does not 

 seem to take effect with any member of the 

 genus, nor with Odontoglossums. — C. Alzvyii 

 Harrison. 



