ORCHID CONFERENCE. 



431 



hybridizers — but also a very visible and great improvement everywhere 

 noticeable in their cultivation. Nevertheless, there are still a few 

 epiphytes responsible for much of the disappointment occasionally 

 experienced in Orchid growing. 



In support of the latter statement I need only instance the genera 

 Cattleya, Laelia, and Dendrohium, also PJialaenopsis, Aerid.es, Vanda, 

 and other distichous kinds. Some of these epiphytes, notably the 

 species and hybrids of Cattleyas and Laelias, the bigeneric Laelio- 

 cattleyas, Sophrocattleyas, and Sophrolaelias, the deciduous and ever- 

 green Dendrohium, and Phalaenopsis and Vanda coerulea are, probably, 

 the most beautiful and desirable of all Orchids. The majority of these 

 are unequalled in the gorgeous character of their beautiful flowers, and 

 whether used in a cut state for floral decoration, or as flowering plants 

 staged for exhibition, a distinct and rare effect is always produced, 

 hence their constant advance in popular estimation. 



Having enumerated soaiie 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 demanded in present-day collections and at all our 

 important shows. 



In the cultivation of . all plants there are many different roads to 

 success, and particularly so with Orchids. A special treatment cannot 

 be judiciously reconnnended for the plants generally, for one cannot be 

 certain that the conditions and surroundings are in all cases precisely 

 similar. This fact renders the giving of definite advice extremely difficult. 

 However, I hope from my suggestions some practical hints may be 

 derived for guidance in determining under what conditions these 

 epiphytes best succeed permanently. I emphasize "permanently," 

 for, unquestionably, cultivators are often deluded by successes, which 

 are not permanent. In support of this statement, one may point to 

 the luxuriant growth which Orchids of all kinds make, when grown 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 cultivation, 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 accord- 

 ing to a schedule, and without taking into consideration the peculiar 

 characteristics 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 many of the evils affecting 

 Orchids under cultivation are directly traceable to want of sufficient liglit, 



