RECOMMENDED CATTLEYA CULTURE 
There are increasing numbers of persons who are desirous of growing Cattleya 
orchids, or who, as beginners, are anxious to be successful in growing these grand 
plants. Many years ago orchid culture was considered a rich man’s hobby. Most 
of the orchid plants then in cultivation were in the greenhouses of the wealthy 
Europeans, mostly the British. These were plants, or propagations of plants, col- 
lected at considerable expense from their native habitats. Attempts at hybridizing 
were few and success came seldom. It was not until the development of the lab- 
oratory method of handling seed, about thirty years ago, that the production of 
new and improved hybrids became commercially practical. With this revolution- 
ary procedure has come an endless procession of finer and better hybrids, together 
with greatly reduced costs in production. Now it is possible to purchase good 
hybrids at relatively low prices, and the amateur grower is successfully cultivating 
them in numerous small greenhouses over the entire country. We can safely esti- 
mate that thousands of people are growing tens of thousands of orchids in this 
country today and continually more people are taking up this fascinating avoca- 
tion. Now the orchid fancier and the orchid neophyte are banded together in 
societies where their plant problems are discussed with interest and their speci- 
men plants displayed with pride. It is indeed a completely fascinating hobby and 
not necessarily an expensive one. 
HOW TO GROW CATTLEYAS 
When we refer to Cattleyas we also include all of the allied hybrids such 
as Laelio-cattleyas, Brasso-cattleyas, Brasso-laelio-cattleyas, etc. All of these types 
require basically the same care and are generally referred to as Cattleya hybrids. 
VENTILATION — HUMIDITY — TEMPERATURE 
Obviously, if we are to successfully grow plants indigenous to the hot humid 
jungles of Central America and northern South America, we must to the extent 
practically possible, create conditions similar to those of their native habitat. 
This may seem involved, but it is not too difficult to approximate these conditions 
in our glass houses by the use of shading and the control of heat and moisture. 
Contrary to the common opinion, within certain limits, the Cattleya is a rather 
rugged subject and will survive under considerable mistreatment and actually 
thrive if given only half a chance. 
In the jungles, the Cattleyas favor positions in the tree tops where they receive 
a liberal amount of sunlight, air, and humidity. They are subjected alternately to 
hot, drying winds and to torrential tropical downpour of rain. The jungle winds 
carry much humidity. 
In the greenhouse, air must be admitted as weather conditions will permit. 
A motion of air is beneficial but air should not be admitted to the extent that 
the necessary humidity is lost. In warm or hot weather more air is necessary to 
prevent the building up of too high temperature. At the same time, steps are 
necessary to maintain humidity. This is done sometimes by mechanical means 
such as sprays or atomizers usually located under the benches and sometimes 
automatically controlled, or humidity is created by dampening down; that is, 
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