O. Bowiei. (Hort. Bowieiana). We have always listed this as a winter grow- 
er as it grows so well here in winter. But it will also grow well in summer. Our 
bulbs were dug last Aug. and should be planted very soon. As early as possible, 
in pots or garden, It is one of the very best and seems to be the most popular 
of all. 3 bulbs (for a 5” pot) 15c. 50c doz.. Largest bulbs, 10c. $1.00 doz. 
ORCHID FAMILY. Orchidaceae. 
Orchids are the most exquisite of flowers. Flower lovers are all looking for 
them, since it has been made known that they can be easily grown in the gar- 
den or as pot plants in the house. But the information is a little misleading. The 
gorgeous Cattleyas require not only a greenhouse, but a special one which has 
the proper temperature range and correct humidity. In the house they require 
a Wardian Case, which is practically a glass encased incubator.. 
In the fall we list Bletilla for the outside garden. They are hardy. We can 
still supply a few at 50c ea. But you must order before Mar. 1. Plant in garden 
in half shade at once if possible. If not start in pots, leaf mould and sand, barely 
moist and later shift to garden. I do not recommend for pot culture. 
But you can grow large and fine Cymbidium Orchids in pots in the north 
or outside in So, Calif. and Fla. Other places where winter temperatures do not 
go under 26° to 28°. See culture under each listing. 
Epidendrum o’brienanum. This orchid has a large terminal cluster of brill- 
iant red flowers, each in the typical orchid form. The flowers open 10 or more 
at once and are about 1144” wide. The plant makes a large cluster of tall stems, 
3 ft. or more. In nature they grow among grasses or weeds which support them. 
We can imitate that by growing among erect plants. 
They need hot, nearly full sun exposure; an abundance of water in summer. 
They grow easily in the garden in the south where minimum tmperatures are 
not below 27°. 
They like a deep mulch of leaves, small branches, etc. This helps to support 
the stems, protects the roots when too cold, (ours easily recovered from a low of 
20°) and maintains the needed constant moisture of soil. 
They grow easily in the garden in the south. In the north they are easy in pots 
or baskets. Use 50% or more peat or leaf mould. 
Prices. Branch with roots attached 75c. Large clumps, up to $10.00 in pro- 
portion to size. 
Cymbidium Orchids are immensely popular in So. Calif. and wherever known, 
Their greatest fault is, they are hard to get at reasonably low prices. They are 
of easy culture, exquisite beauty, of wide range of colors and early varieties 
are in flower in Oct., the late ones in July. 
The large 4” to 6” flowers are born on a stem often 4 ft. long, from 12 to 
30 in number. Well established plants may give 4 or more stems and old clumps 
up to 85. The flower spikes remain in perfect condition for 8 to 12 weeks. When 
cut the flowers have unsurpassed lasting qualities and may be used many times 
in a corsage if kept in a refrigerator between times. Florists retail the flowers 
for almost as much as Cattleyas. 
The flowers are of typical orchid form and in a wide range of colors. It is 
impossible to give accurate color descriptions of these as altho the species are 
fnirly constant in color the hybrids are quite variable. You must consider our 
descriptions only as approximate and sometimes not even that. 
Culture. Cymbidiums are terrestial orchids from India and Burma where they 
grow in the moist atmosphere of mountains and foothills in a perfectly drained 
situation. They are of easiest culture. The shade of the ordinary lath house, lath 
spaced 1” apart, 50% shade is correct. The shade of trees, if it gives 50 pct. 
filtered sunlight is excellent. They do best in a sandy soil to which at least an 
equal amount of fine rotted leaf mould has been added. In pots they may be 
grown in the same compost used for Begonias or they may be grown in orchid 
peat and leaf mould. If difficult to get just what you want, take equal parts of 
loamy sand and fine leaf mould. Wherever planted the underdrainge must be 
perfect. A soggy soil is very bad. They should always be moist, never too wet. 
Sprinkling the foliage is good in our too dry atmosphere. When well established 
give occasional light surface mulch of manure or manure water. 
27 
