THE ORCHID WORLD. 



i6i 



Cattleyas and their hybrids comprise some of 

 the most gorgeous and most beautiful flowers 

 in existence. To many this is one of the 

 most difficult classes of plants to cultivate, for 

 what reason I can hardly understand. To 

 my mind many of them are killed by being 

 grown during tlie winter months in a damp, 

 low temperature ; again, others suffer in the 

 same manner from an insufficient supply of 

 water when in full growth and at other times. 



The cultivation of this family of plants is 

 too large to deal with in its entirety in a 

 calendar of this description, but 1 hope to 

 show from time to time how success may be 

 obtained. The sorts that bloom during 

 autumn and winter are just now commencing 

 to push forth new roots, and with them new 

 growths ; fresh rooting material should now 

 be given to any plants that require it. The 

 sorts that flower late in winter should be 

 re-potted as soon as possible after iJieir 

 flowering period is over, keeping the plant 

 on the dry side until the roots are seen to be 

 pushing through the new compost. This 

 process gives the plant a natural rest, and the 

 new growths push forth with renewed strength 

 at their proper season. However carefully the 

 operation of re-potting is performed the 

 plants receive a check of a greater or less 

 degree, and this must be kept in mind. 



Healthy specimens which have plenty of 

 roots and are in a root-bound condition should 

 be placed into large receptacles without being 

 disturbed more than is necessary. The loose 

 compost should be carefully picked out and 

 the old ball of compost be broken up as much 

 as possible without damaging the roots ; any 

 roots that are dead must be carefully removed. 

 Unless the decayed compost is removed each 

 time the plant is re-potted, it is obvious that 

 sooner or later the centre of the ball of 

 compost becomes a decayed mass, and all the 

 roots that come in contact with it die. 



The size of the receptacle depends entirely 

 on the habit of the plant ; if it is a vigorous 

 grower it may be placed in a larger one than 

 would be advisable were it a less robust 

 grower. The pots or pans must be well 

 drained, and the base of the plant should be 

 on a level with the rim of the plant. The 



plants should be potted firmly, and staked up 

 to prevent rocking. Any of the back pseudo- 

 bulbs which are old and leafless should be 

 removed during re-potting, as they are only 

 parasites living on the front portion of the 

 plant. 



Any back bulbs having good eyes, removed 

 from plants of rare and valuable kinds, may 

 be potted up in small pans, and carefully 

 labelled ; in most cases they will start into 

 growth and make valuable duplicate plants. 

 These plants require careful watering at all 

 seasons, and when in full growth the plant 

 should be allowed to become dry between 

 each operation ; when at rest only sufficient 

 water should be given to keep the leaves in a 

 fresh condition and the bulbs from shrivelling. 



Miltonia vexillaria and M. Bleuana pushing 

 up their flower spikes should not be allowed 

 to suffer for want of water, or else their 

 flowers may come small and crippled. Before 

 their flower spikes are far advanced it is 

 advisable that they should be thoroughly 

 cleaned and fumigated at intervals to prevent 

 the ravages of thrip and other insect pests. 



Odontoglossum citrosmum, having been 

 well rested throughout the winter, will be 

 pushing flower-spikes from the centre of the 

 new growths, the plants so doing may be 

 given more water. This species is always 

 better grown suspended from the roof, where 

 its drooping spikes have a most graceful 

 appearance. 



Epidendrum vitellmum is a great favourite, 

 but is often grown too warm. This plant 

 delights in the coolest part of the cool house. 

 It may be re-potted in the usual compost ; the 

 autumn flowering variety at this season, the 

 summer flowering one after blooming at 

 mid-summer. 



Maxillarias. .Such plants as M. grandi- 

 flora, M. venusta, M. picta, and others should 

 be examined as to their needs for more pot 

 room or rooting material. Such species as 

 M. Sanderiana, M. fuscata, M. luteo alba, and 

 others that are now showing for bloom, should 

 not be disturbed until they have flowered. 

 The plants will succeed in the same compost 

 as Dendrobiums, and delight in the cool 

 house. 



