but require a special house, correct in temperature and humidity. Only an experienced 
specialist can grow them. The following orchids are not too difficult in pots in the 
north or in the outside garden in the south where minimum temperatures do not go 
much below 27°. Even at that temperature, if long continued, they should be covered. 
Where temperatures descend to an occasion low of 20° -24° one must be prepared 
with boxes, cartons, etc., and do a thoro job of covering. 
Epidendron O’brienanianum. The tall stems grow to a height of 3 ft. or more, are 
slender and require the support of adjoining plants or stakes. As the plant grows it 
produces terminal clusters of flowers thruout all the year when warm. This large 
cluster is composed of many small brilliant red flowers of a typical orchid form. Below 
each cluster as it withers, a lateral bud develops and continues the upward growth. 
At its base aerial roots develop. Propagation is effected by planting these air-rooted 
branches. 
Culture. Epidendrons need a warm, almost full sun exposure and constant but not 
excessive moisture. They will grow in well drained sandy loam soil containing some 
gravel but it is better to incorporate 50% leaf mould or 35% or more peat for a 
distance of a foot around and under the plant. 
Price of E. O’brienianum: cutting with aerial roots, 75c. 
Cymbidiums are immensely popular in So. California. Many are grown in green- 
houses in England. | 
The large 4” to 6” flowers are borne on a stem often 4 ft. long, and from 12 
to over 30 in number. Well established plants may give 4 or more and large clumps 
up to 35 stems. The flower spikes remain in perfect condition for 8 to 12 weeks. The 
cut 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 only a little less 
' than Cattleyas. 
The flowers are of typical orchid form and in a wide range of colors. It is 
impossible to give accurate color descriptions of hybrid Cymbidiums as the hybrid is 
named from the cross and may include several seedlings not necessarily identical, tho 
close. Descriptions are usually only approximate but not always even that. 
Culture. Cymbidiums are terrestrial orchids from India and Burma where they 
grow in the moist atmosphere of mountains and foothills in perfectly drained situations. 
The culture is easy enough if you note carefully our instructions. But you can’t plant 
them and forget them. The shade of a lath house, lath spaced 1” apart, 50% shade, 
is about right. They do well in this exposure in our hot inland valleys and in cooler 
coastal regions the lath may be farther apart. The shade of trees giving filtered light 
and full sun in early morning or evening suits them well. They do well in a sandy or 
gravelly loam of acid reaction. In preparing our soil we dig to a depth of 10” and the 
same distance on each side of plant. We fill this hole with peat or peat and leaf mould. 
This is thoroly mixed with the soil thrown out, wet a little and pressed down. The 
elevation resulting may be rounded over on sides. 
The base of the plant is enlarged into a pseudo-bulb, surmounted by the foliage. 
This bulb must not be covered by soil. Insert it to a depth of only about 4% of its 
length. The plant may need support until roots form. 
Set the plants in moist soil and water after planting to settle soil around them. 
At first, they must only be kept moist until roots have developed. If moisture is 
excessive the pseudo-bulb will rot and the plant is lost. In warm weather, when plant 
is in full growth they will use more moisture. We sprinkle them a little every day or 
two. They make scant growth if allowed to become dry between waterings. But at no 
time should they be kept in a soggy condition. Provision must be made for perfect 
drainage in pots or garden. 
Customers are sometimes alarmed if the roots of plants appear dead when received 
or if roots have been removed. When Cymbidiums are moved, the roots usually die 
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