ING through the winter and should not be done on any but bright sunny 
days and never past noon. 
Type of water used is most important for successful plant growth. 
Orchids like a neutral to slightly acid water and many growers, both ama- 
teur and commercial, store rain water. Highly alkalin waters are not indu- 
cive to good root growth. 
RESTING PERIOD. Regarding species, especially the Colombian’ Cat- 
tleyas, have little or no resting periods in their native states. In cultiva- 
tion, however, C. Gigas does require a resting period, and we do practice 
this procedure with good results. After a species has flowered, it rests, and 
during this dormant stage we use water sparingly until new growths and 
root action appear, at which time we again start it in its regular growing 
routine. Hybrids, because of the varied influence of their parents, have for 
the most part, no resting season. It is interesting to note in connection 
with this subject, that seedlings up until the time they reach maturity, 
whether they are species or hybrids, have no resting season and should be 
grown continuously and never checked. 
HEATING and TEMPERATURES. Heating is a necessary evil and 
until the day we all have our Orchid houses controlled with a not too far 
future, practical air-conditioning system we must always exercise caution 
in the use of fire heat, whether it be hot water or steam. We divide Orchids 
as a family into three classes, as regards temperature; namely the warm, 
intermediate, and cool class. For minimum winter heat we recommend 
for the warm section a night temperature of 62 to 65 degrees, with a day 
reading of 65 to 70 degrees. For the intermediate, a night minimum of 60 
to 62, and a day reading of 65 degrees. For tthe cool, a night minimum of 50 
degrees with a day reading of 55 degrees. Please bear in mind thait these 
recommendations have been taken from our own experiences and that in 
higher, dryer altitudes or lower, more humid localities, this table would 
necessarily have to be changed to suit local conditions. Through the months 
when heat is necessary, sunlight through the day plays a very important 
part. On a nice sunny day little fire heat is required, and with sunlight, 
temperatures can be allowed to go considerably higher than would be safe 
with the use of fire heat. No plants should be grown in close proximity to 
heating pipes. Benchings or stagings should be so constructed as to cut off 
direct radiation from pipes, and where a bench is located a short distance 
from heating pipes, it is wise to arrange fa baffle or tray on which could be 
placed coke, charcoal or other materials which could be syringed from time 
to time. In the case of high stagings, heat has a chance to circulate and 
is absorbed. 
In cold, damp, raw weather care must be exercised in connection with 
heat and moisture. It is especially important that little water (damping) 
be used to maintain the house in a happy condition. DO NOT SYRINGE ON 
SUCH A DAY. IF IN DOUBT — PLAY SAFE, ON THE DRY SIDE. 
BENCHING and STAGINGS. While there are many types employed 
for the average small house, we recommend flat, slat benches rather than 
step types. They are inexpensive, of easy construction, have greater capa- 
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