November 17,1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 441 
17th 
Til 
Kingston, Westminster Aquarium, Tunbridge Wells, and 
18 th 
F 
[Brixton Chrysanthemum Shows. 
19th 
S 
20th 
Sun 
23rd Sunday after Trinity. 
21th 
M 
[Shows. 
22nd 
TU 
Southampton, Manchester, and Northampton Chrysanthemum 
23rd 
W 
Birmingham and Wimbledon Chrysanthemum Shows. 
IMPORTED ORCHIDS. 
HIS subject is one which is not thoroughly under- 
stood by all gardeners, though it is of the 
OHv.vByTfck i greatest importance to everyone interested in 
Orchid culture, and it is, moreover, a subject 
upon which very little has been written. Pro¬ 
bably a few remarks may therefore be useful 
to some readers of the Journal. 
^j) It has often been asked, What becomes of all the 
(Q Orchids that are annually imported to this country ? 
Many thousands of plants from various parts of the 
world find their way into the English market from the numerous 
collectors employed by the leading nurserymen, such as Messrs. 
Veitch, Bull, Williams, Hugh Low & Co., Sander, and the New 
Plant and Bulb Company, besides private gentlemen and others. 
Then it is again asked, What becomes of all these ? The 
question has been answered by many, and by all in the same 
way—namely, that more Orchids are killed than are grown. 
Before Orchids were so well understood as they are at present 
thousands of valuable plants were killed owing to the collectors 
not furnishing the growers with sufficient information with 
regard to the temperature, climate, and altitude where the 
plants were found growing in their native habitats. If they 
came from the tropics it was thought they all required the same 
treatment, but experience has proved this to be a fallacy. 
The trade that is known as Orchid-importing is rather a 
critical one, subject to great fluctuations and disappointments. 
It is very disheartening to both employer and collector, when 
a very valuable importation of Orchids has been received, to 
find on opening the cases that there is scarcely one living plant. 
The condition in which Orchids are received depends in a great 
measure on the time in which they are collected. This may 
be considered the most important point, for if the plants have 
abundant young growths the chances are against their arriving 
in this country safely. The best time for sending the majority 
of Orchids to England is when the season’s growth is com¬ 
pleted, and they have been subject to a certain amount of dry¬ 
ing or ripening ; but no rigid rule can be laid down for the 
guidance of collectors ; much depends upon their own skill and 
judgment. Packing is another very important matter, for if 
Orchids are not well and securely packed they present a miser¬ 
able appearance when taken from the cases. Each collector 
has his particular style of packing plants, as certain genera 
require to be packed quite differently from others. I need 
not go into details with regard to packing, for there is so much 
to be said in connection with it that a whole chapter may be 
written on it. 
When Orchids are newly imported they present at the best 
of times a rather sickly appearance ; but with a little kind 
treatment they soon revive provided there is sufficient life and 
vigour in them to make fresh growth. Many are under the 
impression that when Orchids are newly imported all that they 
require is to be potted, placed in a high temperature, and 
given plenty of water to “ freshen " them up ; but it may be 
here remarked that nothing proves more fatal than such treat¬ 
ment. When the plants are received they should be thoroughly 
examined, taking care to remove any loose or decayed matter 
they may have about them. Of course different genera require 
different treatment, and I will take some of the principal that 
are of most importance to horticulturists and give a few par¬ 
ticulars respecting each. 
Aerides. —These are all epiphytes, and may be grown in 
either pots or baskets, baskets being preferable for many 
species. The present genus includes several very showy 
species, of which the following will be fair samples :—A. cris- 
pum, A. Fieldingi, A. japonicum, A. odoratum, and A. quinque- 
vulnerum. They are always imported in dry boxes or cases. If 
the plants arrive in the best possible condition they have a 
slightly shrivelled appearance. Much depends on the time 
they have been coming. They should immediately be spread 
out thinly in a cool stove for a short time, placing them so as 
the foliage will not come in contact with any wet material. 
They should remain in this position for a few days until the 
foliage is becoming a little plump. Little or no water will be 
required on their roots or leaves, as the plants will take up suffi¬ 
cient from the atmosphere. Shade is essential to all newly 
imported plants. After the plants have plumped a little they 
may then be potted, using only broken potsherds and sphagnum. 
After they have commenced growing a top-dressing of sphag¬ 
num will be beneficial, watering them rather sparingly till they 
commence rooting. 
Angr;ecum. —Angrsecums of the A. eburneum type are rather 
difficult to import, for they generally lose a large number of 
their lower leaves. I find it a good plan to hang them up for 
a time to enable the leaves that remain to become firmer in 
texture, after which the plants may be placed in potsherds and 
sphagnum, watering rather sparingly till they begin to form 
fresh roots. A. eburneum and A. sesquipedale are the two 
most showy species, but there are several others that are 
extremely pretty and well worth growing. 
Ansellia. —Provided Ansellias are collected at the proper 
season and are packed safely there will be no difficulty in 
establishing them. They may be potted as soon as convenient 
after they have arrived, in crocks, peat, and sphagnum. They 
will require to be watered rather cautiously till they begin to 
make fresh roots, after which time they may be watered more 
liberally and removed to the warmest end of the stove. 
Calanthe. —Calanthes of the vestita type are so well known 
that nothing need be said here with regard to imported pseudo¬ 
bulbs, for they are propagated so readily in this country that 
they are not frequently imported now-a-days. This section of 
Calanthes is the most useful of any Orchids, Dendrobiums ex¬ 
cepted ; they are easily grown, and what makes them more 
valuable is that they flower at a time when choice flowers are 
scarce. Many gardeners imagine that they are difficult to cul¬ 
tivate and require some special treatment, but they grow wel 1 
in any ordinary stove temperature provided they are favour ed 
with a good light position during the season of growth. 
Cattleya. —These are often received in poor, and in som e 
No. 73.— You III., Third Series. 
NO. 1729.—You LXVI., Old SERIES. 
