of culture; the Cymbidiums, like exquisite butter- 
flies, but belying their fragile appearance, are an 
outstanding example. These flowers are born on 
graceful, curving spikes to three feet in height, 
which rise from the evergreen blades like foliage. 
In Southern California they can be successfully 
grown out of doors. and are just as easy to grow 
as ferns or begonias, in fact they like the same lo- 
cation as the above mentioned and go well together 
in beds. 
Our collection is one of the largest on the West 
Coast and comprises many of the finest English 
hybrids; as well as some of the more common varie- 
ties which are always the best for garden effect and 
pleasure for cut sprays. 
Culture 
The two essential conditions in orchid culture are 
location and soil. Any situation affording filtered 
sunlight is adequate, such as that provided by lath 
or spreading trees whose branches are not too close 
to the ground. As to soil: a mixture of 50% coarse 
leaf mold, 25% good compost, 10% steer or old 
cow manure, 10% coarse gravel, 5% of bone meal 
and humisite. Perfect drainage is requisite if one is 
to grow Cymbidiums successfully. Keep them rea- 
sonably moist during the growing season (April- 
September), and thereafter reduce the amount of 
water in order to encourage the maximum bloom. 
Do not over-fertilize them; a weak liquid solution 
