All Orchid species flower once a year when 
in good condition, and there are a number of 
hybrids that, once reaching maturity, will some¬ 
times flower more often. This is probably due 
to the influence of the two different species par¬ 
ents. The plant does not die after flowering 
and from seed takes from six to seven years 
to reach maturity. 
The number of flowers a plant will bear has 
to do very greatly with the parent influence, 
and incidentally with the strength and condi¬ 
tion of the plant. However, as we hove been 
breeding for floriferous types, it is reasonable 
to expect an increase in the number of flowers 
on a single stem up to their maximum bearing. 
As a plant increases in size, it more often than 
not makes more than one flowering lead, so 
that it is entirely possible to have large plants, 
(Cattleyas) with twenty or more flowers. Other 
species and varieties also increase propor¬ 
tionately as they age. 
Orchid flowers of the more popular type are 
without a doubt, the longest lasting of any in 
the floral kingdom, both on the plant and as 
a decorative cut-flower. Cattleyas on the plant 
will last two to four weeks under ordinary con¬ 
ditions, and when cut, two weeks and more. 
Cymbidiums and Cypripediums we have kept 
on the plants sometimes in excess of two 
months, and they are marvelous keepers when 
cut. The beautiful, fragile appearing Dendro- 
bium Dearei will last sometimes four months 
on the plant, and there are many varieties that 
are surprising in this quality. Although all of 
them appear to be very frail, they are not, and 
for decorative work, even though their original 
cost is more than other flowers, their long last¬ 
ing qualities make them less expensive. 
"Care of Orchid Flowers" 
Orchid flowers should not be cut until fully 
matured, and in the case of Cattleyas and their 
hybrids, this is usually three to four days from 
the time the buds open. In Cymbidiums and 
Cypripediums the developing time is longer. 
and with the former, one should wait until all 
of the flowers on the spike have opened com¬ 
pletely. When cutting, always use a very sharp 
knife, (never scissors) and after cutting place 
the flowers, in water, preferably, in a cool dark 
corner for a few hours to harden them. Use 
containers that hold a generous supply of cold 
water, which should be changed daily and 
when changing, it is well to cut a slight por¬ 
tion off the stem. 
The Summer of 1838 saw the introduction of 
the first Orchid plants into the United States. 
A Mr. John Wright Boot of Boston, Massachu¬ 
setts, imported a small collection to grow for 
his own pleasure. This was the beginning of 
Orchid growing in this Country as both a hobby 
and an industry. For the former, we can say 
we believe it has given, more people pleasure 
than any other horticultural pursuit. Their rare 
exotic charm, beauty, fragrance, ease of grow¬ 
ing and a hundred other flowery adjectives, 
are not sufficient to fully describe this "Aristo¬ 
crat of Flowers." Unfortunately, there has al¬ 
ways been a great deal of mystery and 
secrecy, as well as the unfounded idea that 
Orchid growing was a pastime for only the 
wealthy. Nothing is further from the truth and 
we wish this little booklet to be dedicated to 
helping the many thousands of beginners and 
enthusiasts to get started with a little collection. 
For the beginner, or those contemplating 
growing Orchids, we have attempted to phrase 
cultural requirements and descriptions as simply 
as possible. We hove also listed our recom¬ 
mendations for those beginners at the end of 
our plant listings, under the heading "Begin¬ 
ner's collections." We have taken into con¬ 
sideration climatic conditions, temperatures, 
etc., so that we have a series of collections to 
suit every requirement. In several cases 
throughout our listings, we have purposely de¬ 
leted certain genera and species that we deem 
too difficult, or which require special equip¬ 
ment for the beginner. 
GENERAL CULTURE 
In the foregoing introduction "Orchids," we 
have attempted to dispel the mysteries, secre¬ 
cies and misunderstandings so long associated 
with the Orchid. 
We come now to General Culture, referring 
herein more specifically to the Cattleya, Laelia, 
Brasso and their hybrids. The subject "Cul¬ 
ture," must necessarily be elastic to a certain 
extent, as climatic conditions vary with loca¬ 
tions, but we believe a good general founda¬ 
tion and understanding is the primary essential 
to successful plant growing, and thus armed, 
the term "Orchid Culture," should mean, "Or¬ 
chids are easy to grow." We have included 
all through this booklet cultural notes pertain¬ 
ing to most of the different genera, but an 
understanding of this general culture is of first 
importance. 
House Culture. For those beginners who 
would like to grow a plant or a small collection 
fage Four 
