TEMPERATURE 
The word ‘Intermediate’ following a heading of the plant lists, means 
these plants do best in a house whose minimum temperature is 55° to 65° at night. 
A night heat of 55° as a minimum on extreme cold nights, and 60° in moderate 
weather will be better for the plants than a higher temperature, especially if they 
are in bloom. 60° or 75° by day, or a few degrees more with sun heat and ventila- 
tion is good, and in summer as low as outside conditions will permit. ‘‘Warm”’ 
means a minimum temperature of 65° to 75°. “Cool” means a minimum temper- 
ature of 40° to 55°. We have indicated in each case the type of house each variety 
prefers, but this is not an absolutely hard and fast rule, for we have repeatedly seen 
gardeners successfully growing mixed types in one house by the careful utilization 
of the various parts of the house for individual plants that need the cooler end or 
the warmer end, conditions that are soon discovered by the observant grower. 
AIR 
Air must be given at all times when possible. The house must have free 
air, day and night, from May to September, and at other times as much as outside 
conditions will permit. At no time should the air of the house be permitted to get 
stale or musty. Oftentimes a small crack of air will prevent this. The more air used, 
the more water will be required, as the stagings and walks should be kept moist to 
maintain humidity. - 
WATER 
Orchids want a fairly moist atmosphere, which means a humidity of 70° 
or more. This can easily be obtained by watering between the pots and damping 
the walks and under the benches once or twice a day, according to weather condi- 
tions. A hygrometer, or simple and inexpensive device which records both temper- 
ature and moisture, will greatly facilitate this, and is a safeguard against excessive 
changes in humidity, especially during fall and winter. 
In winter, water is best given to the plants in the morning, so that the 
surplus will dry off before night. It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast 
rules for watering. It is a very important operation, and skill is acquired by prac- 
tical experience, connected with a knowledge of the general conditions surrounding 
the plants in their native homes. As a rule, most orchids need a liberal supply of 
water while growing, but the condition of the plant, the compost, and the manner 
in which it is potted, have something to do with this. Newly repotted plants should 
be watered sparingly for several weeks, ailing plants, or plants in old compost, which 
is more apt to hold water, should also be watched carefully. It is certain that when 
rain-water is saved for watering the plants, they show more vigor. 
On cold, cheerless days, when the temperature is below normal, very little 
watering or damping is needed, and unless it is some particular species which cannot 
endure drying, it is safest to withhold water; otherwise the plants will be sur- 
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