Owing to the difference in climatic 
conditions in various parts of the 
United States, it is impossible to give 
specific instructions for the successful 
culture of Cattleyas and allied hy- 
brids such as Laelio-cattleyas, Brasso- 
cattleyas, or any other types of orchids 
for that matter. It is obvious that the 
same rules could not apply in the 
States of Oregon and Washington 
where humidity is usually high, and 
in the arid southern States such as 
Arizona. The following, therefore, are 
general rules that, if followed, will 
contribute to success in the culture 
of these plants. Orchids are not deli- 
cate plants, as is usually supposed, and 
will grow well if given ordinary care. 
ENCLOSURE. The first question most 
people ask is what kind of enclosure 
do I need? Provide the kind of en- 
closure that you feel you can afford 
but remember that your collection 
will grow and it is cheaper to build 
a place large enough than it is to 
make additions afterwards. Choose a 
location as near as possible free from 
shade of your house and trees and 
those of your neighbors, for in such 
a location you will stand the best 
chance of providing the degree of 
shade that fits the growing methods 
you choose to employ. Provide a de- 
gree of shade that will be relaxing 
POROUS 
CLAY POT, 
INTRODUCTION 
without being depressing to the aver- 
age human being. In cool, damp 
climates one may use more sunlight 
than in hot, dry ones. A good guide 
is the color of the leaves on your 
plants. If dark green, too much shade; 
if olive green, just right; if yellow 
green, too much light. 
WARDIAN CASE. A wardian case is 
simply a glass box in which condi- 
tions of temperature and humidity 
can be controlled more easily than 
on the window sill or other outside 
location. These cases can be easily 
constructed by building a solid bot- 
tom of boards and four stationary 
sides and hinged lid of ordinary win- 
PARTS OF THE PLANT 
Roots: The function of the roots is 
to transmit moisture, minerals and 
other nutritional material from the 
growing medium (in most cases, 
osmunda fibre or osmundine) to the 
plant. Most of the roots penetrate the 
growing medium, but a few may 
grow over the edge of the pot. 
Rhizome: A tough fibrous stem 
which joins the pseudobulbs to the 
roots. It rests on top of the growing 
medium. 
Pseudobulb: The thick fleshy stem 
from which the leaf grows. Func- 
tions: to store moisture and energy 
for future use of plant. 
408 
dow sash, with a few holes bored in 
the bottom of the sash for ventila- 
tion. Place a metal container on the 
bottom for wet sand, gravel, or coke, 
arrange the plants on a rack over this 
container and they are ready to grow 
and bloom. The size of the case will 
have to be determined by the space 
available and where the plants can 
get the proper light. 
WINDOW CULTURE. Choose a 
window exposed to considerable sun- 
light and provide thin curtains or 
other means of filtering the light so 
that the plants are not exposed to the 
full strength of direct sun rays. Place 
glass or metal vessels in the windows 
and put the plants on wire or wood- 
slat racks over these vessels. Gravel 
or charcoal should be placed in the 
vessels and kept moist at all times. 
Evaporation from these materials will 
provide humidity for the atmosphere. 
The root system is watered simply by 
pouring water on top of the pot until 
it drips at the bottom. An atomizer 
will supply a satisfactory spray for 
the leaves, or the plants may be taken 
to the kitchen sink and sprayed. 
Room temperature should be kept as 
nearly as possible between 65 and 
75 degrees. Temperatures comfort- 
able to humans are usually also com- 
fortable to orchids. 
AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 
Leaf: Serves purpose of all leaves, i.e. 
to convert air, water and minerals — 
in the presence of light — into sugars 
and other hydrocarbons. 
“Eye’’: Dormant growth at base of 
pseudobulb which will become active 
upon the next growing season of the 
plant. 
Sheath: Formed at top of pseudo- 
bulb, it serves to protect the small 
buds until they have reached a size 
where they break through. From then 
on, they are usually hardy enough to 
withstand any adverse conditions they 
may encounter. Occasionally, a growth 
appears without a sheath, but buds 
may form anyway and develop into 
flowers. 
