FORMULA FOR SUCCESS! 
The two most important things necessary to 
know for growing Orchids successfully are: 
1— HOW MUCH WATER TO GIVE AN 
ORCHID PLANT. 
2—HOW MUCH LIGHT TO GIVE AN 
ORCHID PLANT. 
More Orchids are killed by amateurs and 
experts alike by OVERWATERING than by any 
other reason ! ! ! 
It should be realized that in its wild state 
of growth an Orchid plant clings to a tree with 
its bare roots. Therefore, no matter how much 
it rains, the root system will dry out within a 
few minutes after it stops raining. On the other 
hand, when you grow the same plant in a home 
the root system will be wrapped in Osmunda 
and tightly confined into a clay pot. Obviously, 
the conditions of growing are not the same. 
A potted Orchid plant will retain water for 
a week or more, depending upon humidity, light, 
air, size of the pot, condition of the Osmunda, 
and several other factors. Fresh Osmunda, not 
over two years old, will stay moist in a pot for 
about a week. Old Osmunda will retain water 
for as much as two weeks. If the days are 
cloudy and humid the plant will pick up extra 
moisture from the air. Thus, on cloudy days 
you reduce the daily spray. In hot, dry areas, 
plants lose water rapidly, hence, they can use 
daily sprayings on their leaves with benefit, 
even twice daily. 
If plants are hung out in trees or in open 
patios or porches the wind will dry them out 
more rapidly than ina home. They too will thus 
benefit from a daily spraying on their leaves, 
during bright, sunny days. Where plants are 
grown in greenhouses, the hotter the day the 
more you can spray them; the cooler the day, 
the less you spray them. A good rule to 
remember is to spray or water on bright, sunny 
days and to withhold spraying and water on 
cloudy, rainy, days. 
