CATTLEYA CULTURE 
OR THE USE of those who are interested in Cattleya culture, Orchid- 
haven is glad to furnish this information which is based on many years 
of practical experience. 
HUMIDITY. A relative humidity between 65 and 80 has been found best. 
This may be provided by a small greenhouse, or a Wardian Case. In some 
climates, it is possible to provide for this humidity factor in the out-of- 
doors, using tree shade or a lath house. If this is done, a structure whose 
sides are screened in as a means of shedding the rain is best. 
TEMPERATURE. Orchidhaven, in northern New Jersey, maintains an 
artificial night temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature 
can be raised by 15 degrees on cloudy days, or with the help of the sun on 
bright days as much as 25 degrees or more. It is hardly necessary to say 
that in any growing enclosure, the exchange of air provides carbondioxide, 
an element of air itself, from which the plant obtains nourishment in the 
daytime. Nevertheless, while air is admitted in sufficient quantity for the 
plant’s proper nourishment, care should be taken not to create drafts. A 
draft may reduce the humidity about the Cattleya at too fast a rate, and, 
since humidity is an essential factor for the well-being of this plant, the 
exchange of air should be controlled with this factor in mind. 
LIGHT. Experiments in the rhythm of flowering in this country and 
abroad have shown that light is a very important stimulus in flowering. 
Studies reveal that duration as well as intensity of light determine the 
time of flowering of some plants. In the successful growing of Cattleyas in 
greenhouses, shading should not be increased any more during the brighter 
summer months than to have it possible to discern contoured objects such 
as trees, chimneys, etc., from the interior. 
In latitudes corresponding to Orchidhaven in northern New Jersey, clear 
glass may be used and all shade removed from greenhouses running north 
and south during the period between November 1st to February 15th (or 
March 15th, depending on conditions). You can set up the proper conditions 
to keep clear glass until March 15th if you are careful to regulate the air 
exchange and to damp down overhead at frequent intervals. These steps 
will keep the temperature sufficiently low while you expose the plant to 
maximum intensity and duration of light in this season; the result, as we 
have found at Orchidhaven, is beneficial to growth of the plant. 
WATERING. The best plan to follow, with regard to watering in the 
containers, is to wait until the potting medium becomes quite crisp to the 
touch. But, if you are in doubt about this degree of crispness, it would be 
better to wait a day or two longer. More harm is done by over-watering 
than under-watering. Over-watering tends to rot and eradicate roots. Keep- 
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