April 15, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
297 
O RCHIDS generally are still steadily advancing in popular 
favour, but if any one group is to be regarded as the 
Orchids of the future,” it is that comprised within the title 
heading these remarks. What are ordinarily termed cool house 
•Orchids consist principally of Odontoglossiims and Masdevallias, 
with the representatives of a few other genera, but it is with 
Odontoglossums we are specially concerned on the present 
occasion, and to them attention will be chiefly directed. Nearly 
•everyone concerned in any way with plants has learned something 
of their value, has become familiarised with their varied beauties 
at the exhibitions and in the florists’ shops, or has seen that the 
flowers are adaptable to many important uses. It is unnecessary, 
therefore, to dwell upon the attractions of such Orchids—the 
•crystalline texture and purity of the exquisite Odontoglossums 
orispum or Pescatorei ; the rich gold brown and chocolate 
markings of others ; the brilliant orange scarlet of Epidendrum 
vitellinum or Ada aurantiaca; and the glowing crimson and 
magenta tints displayed in the Masdevallias of the Harryana 
type. Suffice it that a floral effect can be produced in a house 
of so-called “cool Orchids” that is unsurpassed even amongst 
■the most stately members of the same family from tropical 
■regions requiring accommodation in stoves and similar structures. 
One important point in the favour of these plants which 
has special reference to the Odontoglossums, is the durability of the 
flowers not only on the plants but when cut and applied to the 
various purposes of modem floral decoration. This alone would 
secure them a large share of substantial admiration, but they have 
stiU another character that cannot be overlooked—namely, they 
are amongst the cheapest of Orchids as regards varieties suitable 
for all ordinary purposes. Yet they afford a curious example of an 
astonishing range of value, as while plants can be purchased for a 
few shillings, forms of exceptional character realise 100 guineas 
and upwards, and the first named was obtained only a few days 
ago at a public auction sale. It has in fact occasionally been an 
addititional source of harmless gratification to amateurs and 
others who have flowered plants for the first time to discover 
amongst them some valuable rarity, one perhaps in 10,000 imported 
plants. 
Beyond all these recommendations the majority of Odonto¬ 
glossums and cool house plants generally are of easy culture—that 
is, they can with ordinary care be kept in good health, and they 
will flower frequently. It is a question, however, whether this 
■ready submission to the cultivator has not proved a source of 
danger, and whether the system commoul}' advocated and practised 
is not to blame for losses attributed to other causes. An impression 
•has spread that anyone can grow Odontoglossums anyhow ; some 
have even gone to the length of including them with greenhouse 
•plants, and I have had frequent inquiries as to what species were 
beet adapted for such structures. Being designated “cool house 
•Orchids” has led to the idea that they cannot have too cool 
-quarters provided they are protected from frost, and the effect of 
this has even been tried upon them, because It has been said that 
in their native habitats some have not infrequently been found 
with icicles on their leaves. 
We know that the Odontoglossums may be regarded as the 
alpine Orchids of the New World, for the elevations at which they 
No. 56'1. —Tol. XXII,, Third Series. 
are found in the Peruvian Andes and the table lands of Mexico 
must subject them to a comparatively cool climate, even though 
their homes are in a tropical region. Collectors tell us that the 
plants are found from 5000 feet upwards to 8000 or 9000 feet 
or even in some instances, as with 0. compactum, to an even 
greater elevation—10,000 to 12,000 feet. The prevailing atmo¬ 
spheric conditions must, however, be considered, for the mere 
elevation is not a sufficiently definite indication of the natural 
requirements of a plant. Throughout the greater part of the long 
extent of mountain ranges where the Odontoglossums are found 
there is an exceptional and almost continual condensation of 
moisture from the winds of the Pacific Ocean, and though in some 
districts fairly defined dry and wet seasons are experienced, as 
a general rule the atmosphere is heavily charged with moisture 
where Odontoglossums most abound. Travellers tell me that in 
the daytime with a clear sky and the sun nearly directly overhead 
the temperature rises rapidly, and as it falls as quickly in the 
evening dense fogs and mists are produced by the condensation of 
vapour, and this in turn is still farther condensed as a saturating 
dew, to be rapidly raised in mist in the morning. The range of 
temperature extends over 40° or 50° between the extreme day and 
night temperature, but of course in cloudy weather the variation 
would be materially decreased. Add to this that Odontoglossums 
are found on rocks or on trees usually in a partially shaded 
position, and we have the principal available facts that can be 
utilised as a guide to cultivators. 
How far it is necessary or desirable to attempt to follow the 
natural conditions of a plant’s habitat is a matter well w'orthy of 
discussion, and has a direct bearing upon our present subject. It 
is very seldom possible to reproduce exactly the whole of the 
climatic and other conditions of a district where certa'n plants are 
found, yet they can be successfully grown, and from our point of 
view they may even be superior to those in a state of nature. The 
objects are widely different. Here we are chiefly concerned with 
vegetative and floral development ; there the perfection of seed 
and increase is the requirement. This applies to many plants, and 
one well known cultivator of alpine plants, who claims to have 
never had a failure, even with those reputed the most difficult to 
grow, pots the whole of them in one uniform compost derived from 
his old disused Tomato or Cucumber beds, utterly regardless of the 
soil in which they are found wild. Many other plants could be 
named that have been and still are grown with success under very 
different conditions from their natural surroundings, and it has 
been proved that, though useful hints are often afforded by parti¬ 
culars of a plant’s habitat, that information is by no means essen¬ 
tial to success. Different opinions, I know, exist upon this subject, 
and therefore it is the more worthy of consideration. 
Returning to the Odontoglossums, I could point to several cases 
where cultivatorsYiave been struggling to provide “ the natural con¬ 
ditions ” with rather dispiriting results, and to others where a bolder 
experimental course has been t'aken and attended by much more 
satisfaction to owner and gardener. The opinion is rapidly gaining 
ground that Odontoglossums have been for years grown in too low 
a temperature, and one of the most experienced orchidists, with 
whose collection I am familiar, writes me to this effect: “ I have 
tried various systems, but I shall never return to the low tempera¬ 
ture method in winter again, for the plants are now in better health 
than they ever were before, stronger, and flower more vigorously. 
I never allow the minimum temperature to fall below 45 , and only 
to that in severe weather ; 50° is our safest minimum, and we keep 
it as near that as possible, allowing a considerable rise with due 
shade and plenty of moisture under a strong sun. Little or no 
ventilation is provided at the upper part of the house, for this dries 
the plants too much, but we admit plenty of air below direct on to 
the pipes.” I can bear testimonyflo the fact that these Odonto¬ 
glossums are some of the strongest and best I have ever seen, and 
there is much truth in my friend’s remarks, for in nine cases out 
No. 2220 .—VoL. LXXXIV,, OLD Series. 
