234 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[July, igi2 



to suffer from drought, only sufficient water 

 should be given to keep then' leaves plump. 



Oncidium ampliatum majus, another fine 

 species which produces its flowers in spring, 

 should be accommodated in the warmest 

 house as it delights in a high temperature 

 and exposure to sunlight early in the after- 

 noon. It is best grown in shallow teak 

 baskets suspended from the roof. Only a 

 thin layer of compost is required, but plenty 

 of good drainage material should be used. 

 If the plants are treated liberally during the 

 growing season they seldom fail to produce 

 good pseudo-bulbs with foliage of a thick and 

 leathery texture, and handsome spikes of 

 golden-yellow flowers. 



Odontoglossum pulchellum. In the rather 

 cooler temperature of the nitermediate house 

 plants of this pretty, white species are com- 

 mencing to grow. In repotting afford plenty 

 of drainage material, using a compost as 

 previously advised for Odontoglossums. 



Lycaste Skinneri and its varieties, also L. 

 Ballis, L. costata, and, in fact, the whole 

 genus are cool, moisture-loving plants. Every 

 care should be taken not to overwater them 

 at this season. Do not allow water to lodge 

 in the centre of the partially developed 

 growths or they will be likely to decay, 



Denclrobiums. In this large genus of 

 plants there are many which succeed in the 

 cool house, and the following species are 

 examples : D. Kingianum, D. delicatum, D. 

 speciosum, D. Hillii,, D. teretifolium, D. 

 glomeratum, D. japonicum, D. Victoria 

 Regina, and several others. Any of these 

 plants now starting to grow may have fresh 

 rooting material afforded them, the compost 

 as advised in previous calendars for Den- 

 drobiums will answer their requirements. All 

 of them are best grown in a strong light, 

 suspended close up to the roof glass. D. 

 teretifolium is best grown on a teak raft, with 

 a little compost packed closely between the 

 bars, and under the ba.se of the plant, the raft 

 should be suspended in such a manner that 

 the foliage hangs down naturally. D. 

 Victoria Regina prefers a shady and more 

 humid position, and succeeds best in teak 

 wood baskets with a compost in which 



sjDhagnum moss preponderates. These cool 

 growing Dendrobiums should be well 

 supplied with water at the roots when 

 established and growing freely, but they 

 require to be kept on the dry side after 

 their growth is completed. 



The young growths of the deciduous and 

 semi-deciduous Dendrobiums are now 

 developing fast, and as the plants get rooted 

 in the new compost the amount of water at 

 the roots must be increased. As the growths 

 advance in length, they should be tied or 

 looped up to the suspenders or stakes put 

 into the pot for the purpose so that the light 

 and air can circulate freely amongst them. If 

 this is not attended to many of the strongest 

 and best growths may get broken or damaged. 



Chysis bractescens is a noble Orchid when 

 its flowers are produced in large trusses. 

 This only occurs when the pseudo-bulbs are 

 large, and the plants are well-established. 

 It is an easy species to succeed with when 

 newly imported, but it will deteriorate if not 

 given treatment meeting its requirements in 

 a reasonable degree. It should be grown 

 with the Dendrobiums when making its 

 growth, and rested in the same manner. It is 

 best accommodated in suspended pans, and 

 delights in a liberal supply of moisture when 

 growing. 



General Remarks. Attend to all those 

 small matters of detail which lead to success, 

 such as cleanliness of the plants and their 

 surroundings. Push on with the potting of 

 all plants as they reach the desired condition, 

 and be content to let every plant take its 

 natural course. Do not try to force any 

 unduly into growth, for if any liberties are 

 taken with plant life nature will retaliate in 

 more ways than one. This month, like the 

 last, will be one of the busiest in the whole 

 year, and plenty of work will be found with 

 the potting and the cleaning of the plants. 

 Cleansing the plants not only improves their 

 api>earance, but clean plants also thrive much 

 faster than dirty ones ; every effort .should 

 be made to keep them in a flourishing con- 

 dition. Orchid growing, like many other 

 things, is only a question of attention to detail, 

 given at the right time, and in the right way. 



