176 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 4, 1888. 
HINTS ON ORCHID CULTURE. 
As the following hints on the requirements of Orchids are chiefly 
intended for amateurs or beginners, the instructions have been made 
as brief and simple as possible, the object being to convey such in¬ 
formation as will enable inexperienced persons to overcome the few 
difficulties most frequently encountered, and to guide them in the 
selection of easily grown species. The rapidly increasing popularity 
of Orchids has been materially assisted by the simplification of their 
culture, for so long as it was supposed that they could only be grown 
in highly heated houses specially constructed for them they were 
confined to few establishments. When, however, it was found what 
a large number could be successfully grown in lower temperatures in 
ordinary houses, the number of their patrons was speedily augmented. 
The increased demand caused larger numbers to be imported, and the 
result was a considerable reduction in the prices, which has placed 
them within the means of thousands who a few years ago would have 
regarded them as quite beyond their reach. It has been proved that 
a great part of the difficulty in Orchid culture was imaginary, and 
that with ordinary care the majority of Orchids can be grown satis- 
factority. Some, of course, cannot be managed so readily, but these 
need not be included in small collections, as there are plenty of others 
to select from without them. Still, it is necessary to observe closely 
the peculiarities of the plants, and by arranging them in suitable 
positions in a house numbers of very different habit may often be 
accommodated as well as if several structures were at command. 
Plants frequently evince partialities for particular positions, and 
while thriving in one part may refuse to make progress in another a 
yard or two away. Such facts as these can only be learnt by obser¬ 
vation, and success is largely dependant upon them. It is also 
highly important that the plants be always clean, or the best culture 
will be nullified, and one of the most experienced orchidists of the 
present time attributes the health of his plants mainly to keeping 
them free from insects. With close attention to these, and similar 
apparently small matters to be afterwards referred to, no one need 
fear undertaking the cultivation of the most useful Orchids. 
PROCURING- ORCHIDS. 
Established Plants.— If it is intended to commence with a 
collection of established Orchids it is advisable to purchase small 
plants from any nurseryman who makes them a specialty. This is 
advantageous in several ways. Strong plants can te obtained that 
will not be so likely to disappoint the amateur cultivator. Any 
varieties or species required can be insured being true to name, and 
the plants having been properly potted will give little trouble the first 
year. They can also be purchased at prices to suit all pockets now, 
and the expenditure of from £5 to £10 will procure a varied little 
collection to start with, the larger amounts being chiefly required for 
the varieties or specimens of greater size. In the former case it is 
preferable to state what is required and the amount intended to be 
spent, leaving the selection to the nurseryman unless the buyer has a 
special liking for certain species. When a large collection is being 
formed for several houses it will have to be decided whether it shall 
contain as great a number of species and varieties as possible, or 
whether there shall be a quantity of some of the leading useful 
Orchids, such as Odontoglossum crispum (0. Alexandras). In all cases 
it is preferable to form collections gradually, commencing with a 
small number and increasing them as the cultivator’s knowledge 
advances. 
Imported Plants. — Some amateurs prefer starting with a 
number of imported Orchids, and though it is longer before the 
flowers are obtained, with some probable losses in the meantime, yet 
there is the chance of obtaining novel varieties amongst others of in¬ 
different merit, and this alone induces people to purchase them. 
Imported Orchids may at times be procured very cheaply, and one 
amateur states that he never gives more than a shilling each for 
Odontoglossums and four or five shillings for Cattleyas, Lrnlias, &c., 
with others in like proportion. This, however, necessitates a frequent 
attendance at the sales, with a thorough knowledge of the plants. 
Importations vary considerably apart from the value of the species or 
varieties, for the condition in which the plants are received makes a 
surprising difference in their subsequent progress. Plants with com¬ 
paratively fresh green leaves and stout pseudo-bulbs are worth very 
much more than those that have lost the greater part of their foliage, 
have withered exhausted pseudo-bulbs, and perhaps arrived at a time 
of year when they are likely to suffer from frost. These points have 
to be considered in purchasing imported Orchids, and there is so much 
uncertainty about it that it is far better to rely upon established 
plants for commencing and add to the collection afterwards as 
desired. 
When, however, imported Orchids are obtained they require some 
care to get them into condition for potting or basketing. They must 
first be well washed in tepid water, and then be placed in a shady 
position in a temperature from 50° to G0°, the Odontoglossums of the 
0. crispum character requiring the coolest place, and the Cattleyas 
and Dendrobiums the warmest. Those who import Orchids in large 
quantities usually devote a house to them, where they are either 
spread out upon a slightly moist stage or hung from the roof, the air 
being kept in a moist condition. The object is to induce the growths 
to t; plump up,” as it is termed ; and when this has been effected and 
the roots are showing freely they can be potted in the usual way. 
When small numbers are being established the best way is to place 
the plants in pots of rough clean potsherds and charcoal. The neck of 
the plant must be well elevated, and some prefer laying the plants 
upon the surface until roots are formed. Mr. J. Douglas has in this 
way succeeded admirably with some Orchids ordinarily considered 
difficult to establish. Most of the non-pseudo-bulbous Orchids like 
the Cypripediums may be potted as described, and all seem better 
than when laid upon stages, as water can be supplied more freely. 
The principal point is to give sufficient moisture to induce root- 
growth without causing any portion of the plant to decay, as it is 
very liable to do after its long journey and the severe drying it has 
had. 
STRUCTURES FOR ORCHIDS. 
The fanciful idea that peculiarly constructed and expensive houses 
of various kinds were essential for Orchids having been dispelled, it 
was soon found that much less depended upon the form of the 
structure than had been long imagined, and that if the requisite heat 
could be provided the plants would succeed in houses of all kinds 
and in all positions. The primary consideration is insuring the full 
exposure of the plants to light with sufficient means at command to 
break the force of the sun in the hottest weather. In our climate 
this is most important, for it must be remembered that exotic Orchids, 
even those needing the coolest treatment, came principally from 
equatorial regions, where, though at great elevations, they are exposed 
to a nearly vertical sun during a great portion of the year. The in¬ 
fluence of light upon Orchids is astonishing ; it matures the foliage 
and growths or pseudo-bulb3 and lays the foundation for successful 
flowering another season, for with these, as most other plants, much 
depends upon the ripening of the current year’s growth. It is 
advisable to employ houses with roofs that offer the least obstruction 
to light, those having large heavy rafters or broad laps being avoided ; 
and it is absolutely necessary that the glass be kept clean at all times. 
Some advocate close glazing, relying upon the use of the ventilators 
for admitting the requisite amount of air, but in the cool houses for 
Odontoglossums and Masdevallias a kind of permanent ventilation is 
provided by leaving a space between the bottom pane of glass and the 
eave of about one-eighth of an inch, the glass overlapping the wood 
sufficiently to throw off the water ; and in very severe weather these 
spaces can be stopped by pieces of wood. There is a large cool house 
at Downside, Leatherhead, with a roof constructed in this way, and it 
is rarely found necessary to use the plugs mentioned. For tropical 
Orchids of the Cattleya and Phalcenopsis type the ordinary close 
glazing is preferable, aud the ventilation can be satisfactorily 
arranged in other ways, as will be described under that head. It is 
important to avoid drips, as these are often destructive to Orchids, 
and the strongest plants soon suffer if exposed to them. Rafters are 
grooved the whole length to take off the condensed moisture that 
accumulates along the bars, but the most effective method is to have 
a narrow piece of zinc screwed or nailed to the under side of the 
rafters, and bent so as to form a little channel that will readily 
convey the condensed moisture to the lowest part of the roof. 
The houses may be span-roofed or lean-to, according to con¬ 
venience, and the aspect is not of very much importance, though the 
former may preferably run north and south for tropical Orchids, thus 
giving an east and west aspect for the two slopes, lean-tos for a 
similar purpose running east and west, with the slope to the south, or 
for cool Orchids to the north. A north aspect is not essential for 
cool Orchids. East or west, or indeed any aspect except direct south, 
can be made to suit them ; but the more exposed these plants are to 
the rays of the sun in summer the greater the attention they will 
need in supplying them with water, and it is also frequently difficult 
to prevent the temperature rising unduly high; otherwise they 
must have the lightest position possible, and dark corners, or 
those much shaded by trees, should be avoided. Houses of 
moderate breadth and height are the best for most Orchids, but 
Cattleyas and Lrelias thrive in lofty spacious structures better 
than o her plants, and seem to prefer such houses, as can be 
seen in the cases of the two magnificent Cattleya houses at Mr. VV. 
Lee’s and Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’, the latter being probably the 
largest house devoted to Orchids in this country. It is 132 feet long, 
22 feet wide, and 11| feet high in the centre ; and the plants are all 
in capital condition. In private collections, however, some of the 
best grown plants are seen in small houses, and for cool Orchids 
they are now generally employed with the roofs pitching on to 
the eaves nearly level with the side stage, thus dispensing 
with side lights. For small-growing Odontoglossums and Masde- 
