THE ORCHID WORLD. 



38 



When arranging the contents of a house, an 

 operation often carried out at this dull season 

 of the year, care should be taken to stage the 

 plants in such a way that the light may fall 

 on them as nearly as possible from the same 

 direction as before. The growth of plants 

 being either finished or m a semi-dormant con- 

 dition, no alteration in the leaf arrangement 

 can take place at this season of the year. 



No good results can be expected if the 

 under-sides of the leaves are exposed to a 

 brighter light than that acting on the under 

 surface, a rather unlikely occurrence witli 

 plants having comparatively thin drooping 

 leaves, but liable to happen with Orchids pos- 

 sessing stiff, somewhat erect leaves. To create 

 a smart appearance, it is a common practice to 

 tie the leaves and bulbs of Cattleyas and 

 other closely allied genera in an upright posi- 

 tion ; but, by so doing, the leaves receive the 



light in a very difl'erent manner than formerly. 

 It is very doubtful whether this is a proce- 

 dure to be recommended ; it must always be 

 remembered that man's idea of order may 

 frequently be adverse to that of Nature's. 

 Pla,nt,s after countless ages have evolved a 

 certain method of construction suitable to their 

 surroundings and requirements, any attempt 

 to suddenly alter this arrangement may bring 

 about unwelcome trouble, it certainly is not a 

 sound principle of horticulture. 



There are, however, a few plants which, 

 owing to our comparatively short growing 

 season, may require some assistance to prevent 

 their bulbs from drooping in an unnatural 

 position, but, even with these, care should be 

 exercised m the manner of tying them up, or 

 the bulbs may be placed in a manner not only 

 unnatural but detrimental to the welfaie of 

 the plant. 



THE ATMOSPHERE OF AN ORCHID HOUSE. 



EXCESS of moisture causes the formation 

 of drops of water on the glass and sash- 

 bars. This condition of the atmo- 

 sphere usually occurs during cold weather, 

 especially at night-time, and, if not soon 

 remedied, the plants are subjected to a con- 

 tinual falhng of drops of cold water upon 

 their leaves, flower sheaths, and tender new 

 growths. This, known to every Orchid 

 grower as " drip," is extremely detrimental, for 

 it occurs when the atmosphere is already in an 

 almost saturated condition and with little 

 chance of drying. 



Where plenty of room is obtainable, the 

 plants may be arranged so that the drip, if 

 formed, may fall between them ; in small col- 

 lections circumstances will not allow this 

 method to be carried out, but in both cases 

 prevention is better than cure. It has been 

 previously shown that cold coming in contact 

 with moist atmosphere causes some of the 

 moisture to condense ; by covering the roof 

 of the Orchid house with some protective 

 material on cold nights, much of this ':-ondensa- 

 tion may be prevented. 



It will be well to mention that water falling 

 from a recently-watered suspended pan or 

 basket is not so detrimental, for it only occurs 

 when the conditions of the atmosphere are in 

 a right state for watering the plants, that is, 

 when the air is moderately dry, and any excess 

 of water is quickly evaporated. Therefore, it 

 will be seen, there are two distinct kinds of 

 " drip," one, caused by condensation of the 

 atmospheric moisture due to a lowering of the 

 temperature ; another, due to careless water- 

 ing. The former is detrimental and requires 

 every means of prevention ; the latter, 

 although far less harmful, should, and can, 

 easily be avoided. 



A highly saturated atmosphere will do 

 httle harm to Orchids so long as the tempera- 

 ture remains comparatively high ; but great 

 danger to the plants is incurred by allowing 

 the temperature to fall and remain at a low 

 level when the atmosphere is charged with an 

 excess of moisture. 



V anda coerulea delights, during ihe day-time 

 of the growing season, in a very damp and hot 

 atmosphere, but if the temperature is lowered 



