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CULTURAL NOTES AND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SPECIES AND VARIETIES OF ORCHIDS 
In the large orchid family there are about 15,000 different species kmow and 
thousands of hybrids have been raised in the last 50 years, 
Orchids in their native state are found growing in trees and other jungle 
growth and in the soil, Very few species are found growing in direct sunlight, 
Most generally the light is filtered to a large extent by the canopy formed by 
trees, Certain species are even lovers of deep shade, Orchids have been found at 
all altitudes from sea level to 11,000 feet. Altitude and temperature are apparent~= 
ly closely related, These species from sea level to 3,000 feet will generally 
tolerate a “warm temperature (above 65° Fahr.)3 from 3,000 to 6,000 feet an “intere 
mediate" temperature (55 to 65° Fahr.):; above 6,000 feet a M0014 temperature (50 to 
60° Fahr.), Of equally great importance is the question of rainfall and humidity. 
Average humidity in the tropical countries will vary from 60 to 85%, In most of 
these countries rainfall is heavy for approximately 8 months of the year, the bal~ 
ance of the year being a dry season during which little rain falls, but yet the 
humidity ranges fairly high, 
It is desirable to stimulate these natural conditions as much as possible in 
the culture of orchids in this country, This may be expressed as maintaining 
sufficient heat in the winter, and in most cases preventing excessive high tempera 
tures in the summer, Whatever tho season or temperature, the humidity should be 
maintained as near the 60 to 85% range as possible: particularly when temperatures 
rise it is important that humidity be kept as high as possible, 
“Orchids are divided into three classes, 1, terrestrial, 2, semi-terrestrial 
and 4, epiphytal, 
POTTING MIXTURES FOR ORCHIDS 
1, Terrestrial orchids are grown in the type of soil mixture that is used for 
common garden flowers and about 1/3 leafmold, Bletias, Calanthes, Phaius and 
Vanilla vines are about the only genera included under this classification. 
2, Semi-terrestrial orchids are grow in a mixture of equal parts of osmunda, 
leafmold and peat, Cymbidiums, Cypripediums, Peristerias, Vanda teres and Vanda 
Miss Joachim are included under this classification, although they are sometimes 
grown as epiphytes, 
3, Epiphytal orchids are grown in osmunda fiber, In their native habitat 
epiphytal orchids commonly grow in trees or on rocky ledges, Most genera are 
listed ufder this classification, Some of the better known genera are Brassavolas, 
Brassias, Cattleyas, Chysis, Cynoches, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Gongoras, Laelias, 
Lycastes, Miltonias, Odontoglossums, Oncidiuns, Phalaenopsis, Renantheras, 
Schomburgkias, Sophronites, Trichopilias, Vandas, Zygopetalums, otc. 
HABIT OF GROWTH 
Orchids in regard to their habit of growth are olassified under two distinct 
groups: monopodial and sympodial, 
