Janunry, 1913.] 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
89 
Orchids. Tlie majority of these are 
unequalled in the gorgeous character of their 
beautiful flowers, and when used either m a 
cut state for floral decoration, or when flower- 
mg plants are staged for exhibition, a distinct 
and rare effect is always produced, hence 
their constant advance in popular estimation. 
Having enumerated some of the genera in 
which difficulties of cultivation are likely to 
be found, I may be expected to make a few 
remarks concerning the best method of 
growing these plants up to the high standard 
now desired in present day collections and at 
all our important horticultural shows. 
In the cultivation of all plants there are 
many different roads to success, particularly 
so with Orchids. A special treatment cannot 
be judiciously applied to the plants generally, 
for one cannot be certain that the conditions 
and surroundings are in all cases precisely 
similar, and this fact renders the giving of 
definite advice to be extremely difficult. 
However, I hope from my suggestions 
some practical hints may be derived for 
guidance in determining under what condi- 
tions these epiphytes succeed best per- 
manently. I emphasise " permanently," for 
unquestionably cultivators are oftentimes 
deluded by success which is not of lasting 
quality. In support of this statement one 
may point to the luxuriant growth which 
Orchids of all kinds make when growing in 
soft, spongy material, leaf soil, for example ; 
they do well for a few years, but subsequently 
lapse gradually into an enfeebled and 
unhealthy state. 
The system of culture most nearly 
approaching that of Nature must, undoubtedly, 
be the best. In the growing or flowering of 
Orchids success or failure depends on several 
matters, heat, light, air and moisture being 
the main factors ; to these the cultivator must 
give continual attention, using his mind as 
well as his hands. A uniform system of 
treatment is not always advisable : growing 
plants according to a schedule and without 
taking into consideration the peculiar charac- 
teristics of the house in which they are 
growing, in my opinion, frequently leads to an 
unsatisfactory result. 
Nowadays much lighter houses are built for 
Orchid growing than was formerly the rule. 
Still, there are thousands of Orchids which 
have to be grown in houses that are darker 
than they should be. A conviction often 
forced upon me is that half the evils affecting 
Orchids under cultivation are directly trace- 
able to want of sufficient light, either through 
the plants being too heavily shaded, or else 
the house being improperly constructed. 
Very often, on account of the structure being 
unfavourably situated, the light is intercepted 
by trees, or other objects in the immediate 
vicinity. 
In instances where epiphytic Orchids, such 
as I have mentioned, occupy houses in which 
light IS not present in sufficient quantity the 
growth IS deceptive ; deficiency of light, 
especially when accompanied with much 
artificial heat, usually causes increased 
development of the leaves and pseudo-bulbs. 
This very exuberant growth is sure to 
exhaust itself, and, in course of time, the 
plants gradually become debilitated. 
When Orchids have to be grown in houses 
affording less light than the plants require 
plenty of air will to some extent make up the 
deficiency, but, as a natural consequence, an 
extra amount of air means slower growth. 
Any attempt, in an insufiicient light, to hurry 
a plant is certain to end in failure. Light is 
a most essential element, and is so potent in 
its influence that not only will plants grown 
under it produce flowers more freely, but the 
enduring properties of the blooms are greatly 
increased, frequently to the extent of lasting 
twice as long as others grov/n under more or 
less darker conditions. Moreover, the plants 
are hardier, that is, they are not so susceptible 
to slight errors of treatment in others ways. 
Take, for instance, Phalasnopses, Vandas, or 
any of the distichous leaved Orchids which 
are quite easy to cultivate under a dense 
shade during the summer months ; their fresh, 
green appearance may be pleasing to the eye, 
but the growth made under such conditions is 
too susceptible to atmospheric variation. 
Should the temperature of the house drop a 
few degrees below the normal, or if the plants 
are removed for exhibition purposes, many of 
