432 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



either through the phiiits being too heavily shaded, or the house being 

 improperly constructed. Very often, on account o^f 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 insufhcient, the growth is deceptive; 

 deficiency of light, especially when accompanied with nmch 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 insufficient 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 grown under darker conditions. Moreover, the 

 plants are hardier, that is, they are not so susceptible to slight errors 

 of treatment in other ways. For instance, Phalaenopses, Vandas, or 

 any of the distichous-leaved Orchids, which are quite easy to cultivate 

 under a dense shade during the summer months, have a fresh, green 

 appearance which 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 

 the leaves so ill-built will, in all probability, become spotted. 



I will not suggest that any of the previously mentioned Orchids will 

 bear full exposure to light, but the cultivator's aim should be to 

 control it in keeping with the plant's requirements. Shading should- 

 be employed to break or diffuse the light rather than actually obstruct 

 the sunshine itself. This is not a difficult matter, with movable 

 blinds, easily rolled up or down, on light rollers, and made of suitable 

 material. Fixed shading ai any description is not good in practice, 

 for it shuts out the light so much needed by the plants during the 

 morning and evening and many of the sunless days which we have 

 in summer. 



Concerning this matter of light for Orchids, the more I see of their 

 cultivation so much the more confident do I feel of the injury that can 

 be done to them by overshading. I have always observed that all 

 Orchids which flower while the plants are in full growth do so in a 

 much more satisfactory manner when under the influence of a good 

 light, and especially is this noticeable with the Cattleya family. 



Whenever I meet with plants in a more robust condition than 

 usual, I nearly always find that more light has reached them than 

 many growers will consider needful. Instances oi this kind are 

 often noticed where such plants are usually in the hands of those who, 



