90 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
Januciry 30, 1904. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cypripediums.—The cool growing or winter-flowering sec¬ 
tion of Cypripediums have become exceedingly popular of late 
years. If' any illustration were necessary to demonstrate this 
fact, one could draw attention to the meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society on December 15th last. I am doubtful 
if ever such a meeting had been held at the Drill Hall where 
so many groups of Orchids had been exhibited and where the 
cool-growing section of Cypripediums had ever been seen in 
such quantity, quality, and demonstrating such a wide varia¬ 
tion, both among the specie® and hybrids. If such plants, 
then, are soi highly appreciated for exhibition purposes at) the 
very depth of the dullest season of the year, surely they must 
be of still greater benefit in large; places where there is a 
demand for plants in flower at this particular season. 
Those who discard this class of plants and advocate the 
culture of soft-wooded plants will soon find themselves out of 
their element. There is far more work attached to the cul¬ 
tivation of Chrysanthemums, Bouvardias, Primulas', etc., than 
is required to cultivate the cool Cypripediums. The same space 
and conditions are needed; while on the one 1 hand the flowers 
last, in perfection for from two to three weeks., the Cypripe¬ 
diums. last as many months and are much more durable in 
comparison where they are used for cut-fiower purposes. I am 
advocating the more extensive cultivation of these plants on 
their merits alone. I am convinced there is no class, of plants 
likely to give greater satisfaction, to either amateur or pro¬ 
fessional gardeners than, a, representative collection: of these 
Orchids. 
The season lias, now arrived when these plants require atten¬ 
tion for any repotting requirements that ma.y be necessary. 
Specimen plants that have grown to. such dimensions as to 
require anything above a. 6-in. pot do not of necessity require 
annu al repotting; but where plants have done exceedingly well 
and the roots, have completely filled the pot, it becomes ne¬ 
cessary to. afford such room as their advancement demands, but 
where only reasonable progress' lias been made top dressing 
•often suffices to supply the future season’s wants, and it. would 
be folly then to turn such plants out of their pots. The 
decayed material should be carefully removed and be replaced 
with fresh compost, consisting of fibrous loam, peat fibre, 
chopped sphagnum and leaf-soil in about, equal portions ; to 
this may be added sufficient, rough sand and finely-broken pots¬ 
herds to afford an open and porous condition. Press the 
compost firm and surface with a, layer of chopped sphagnum. 
In repotting, the whole of this section will be found to have 
the largest, portion of their living roots attached and matted 
together around the sides of the pots 1 . It. is therefore well- 
nigh impossible to turn the plants out. of their pots' without 
injury to their' roots'. It is best, therefore, in such cases to 
smash the pots' and carefully detach each portion separately, 
and, after the pot is clear, the drainage may be removed, and 
thei potting compost is then easily abstracted by working 
inside the roots 1 . See that all dead matter is cut away, and 
after selecting a pot the size required carefully drain, and 
after spreading out the roots fill in with the above-mentioned 
compost and press firm, surfacing with chopped living 
sphagnum. 
To increase the Stock. —Where; rare and desirable varieties 
are to be contended with, it is. desirable to increase the stock. 
This may be done by dividing the. rhizome between the second 
and third growths. We know that many species go on. year 
after year and make no ■attempt whatever to use thei vitality 
remaining in, thei preceding year's growths. Yet. when the 
knife has severed the rhizome of old-flowered growths, perhaps 
of some years’ standing, and the plant is left undisturbed in, 
the pot, one finds that practically every old growth is capable 
of producing in a very short time new breaks', which ultimately 
develop leaves and growths', winch, if left until they emit new 
roots' before being repotted, quickly make strong and sturdy 
flowering plants. It is by such means the rare C. insigne San- 
deraiei, C. Lawreneeanum hyeanum, C. callosum Sanderae and 
other rare and beautiful kinds have had their stock so, much 
increased and are now so extensively cultivated. I would 
always, advise', when making stock, to' cut away the younger 
portion. One old growth, providing it is rooted, and a young 
break will be sufficient. In the removal of these, every care 
should be used not to disturb the roots of the portion, left in the 
pot more than can be helped. Fill in the space made by re¬ 
moval and make all film with fresh material. The portion 
removed may be potted up in the usual way. Choice varieties 
may also, be increased by fertilisation with their own pollen, 
a.s, both hybrids and species, even to the so-called albino sports, 
are capable of reproducing themselves true from seeds. This 
process, takes a.t least, three to four years before flowering .plants 
are obtainable, but, the experiment is worth the trouble with 
rare and choice kinds. H. J. 
+ 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Cleansing the Houses. —With the lengthening of the days all 
plant, life will be getting active in glasshouses, and it is most 
essential that the interior of such structures be, sweet and clean 
to ensure free, healthy growth of plant's grown therein. If 
necessary, and time allows, the outside glass should also be 
washed in order to allow full light to play about the plants to 
solidify the' new growth. Plenty of bob water, with some soft 
soap dissolved in it, will not, only remove filth, but, will dislodge 
insects' and their eggs that in all probability are lurking in the 
crevices. It is impossible to over-estimate, the importance of 
this work, and no time is better than the, present for its per¬ 
formance. A general rearrangement of the, plants should then 
be made, throwing out any unhealthy ones, bearing in mind 
that these, occupy thei same amount of room, and require as 
much, oir more, looking after as a, healthy one. 
Pits and Frames.—The, glass, of these structures that contain 
plants should also, be cleansed, for they quickly become coated 
with filth, owing to covering with mats or litter, thus obstruct¬ 
ing light. Any empty one® should be well cleansed and put in 
order for the reception of various bedding and other half-hardy 
plant® that will soon be placed in them, from cool houses. 
Violet,si in pit® and frames must be frequently looked over, 
removing all decayed leaves and cutting away at their base 
those runners, that are flowerless, and pinching the point, out 
of others that show blossoms. An, occasional watering with 
weak guano water or liquid sheep manure will assist them 
materially at, this time, when there i® usually a heavy strain 
upon them through profuse flowering. Other plants in these, 
structures should also be picked over and generally examined 
when the weather allows. 
Seed Sowing. —It is now time to, sow such seeds, as Gloxinia, 
Begonia, Ganna, Streptoearpus, Grevillea, and the, decorative 
Asparagus, etc. Great care must be exercised in preparing the 
soil and pans or pots beforehand to ensure success. Clean 
receptacles should invariably be used, and tlie soil must be 
neither wet nor diy, but just moist. A compost of equal parts 
peat loam and leaf-soil, with plenty of silver sand added, will 
answer admirably for the majority of seeds, sown, for the pro¬ 
duction of plantsi for the stove and green.honse. Pass it 
through a, J-in. sieve, and after well draining the pans or pots 
place over the crocks some sweet, moss, then fill to within 1 in. 
of the rim. Press fairly firm with thei fingers, and make quite 
level, theni riddle a little soil through a finer sieve on top. 
The seed should then be evenly sown thereon, and in, the, case 
of fine seed a, very light dusting of sand will suffice for cover¬ 
ing, whilst with larger seeds an eighth of an in.ch of fine soil 
will not be too much. Place the pans on shelves, or on the 
