RCHIDS FOR ALL 
} 
Orchid growing has become a 
very popular hobby. Of the 
fifteen thousand growers in 
U. S. over 90% are enthusi- 
astic hobbyists. 
BASIC CULTURE 
Orchids are either terrestrial (growing in soil) or epiphytic 
(growing on trees, shrubs or rocks, their native habitat, 
roots seldom touching the ground). Orchids are not 
parasites. In culture the epiphytes are usually grown in 
osmunda, the dry roots of “royal” or “cinnamon” fern. 
BOTH types require air, sunlight, warmth, food and water 
for growth. 
AIR: Orchids need an abundance of fresh, humid air at 
all times but should not be placed in cold drafts. 
SUNLIGHT: Orchids need as much sunlight as they can 
stand without injury. Direct sunlight is too much; the 
amount passing through several layers of cheesecloth is 
about right. Leaves turn yellowish in too much sun or turn 
blue-green and fleshy in too much shade. For best growth 
and flowers, the leaves should be slightly yellow-green, 
and somewhat stiff and leathery to the touch. 
WARMTH: Heat requirements vary with the types of 
plants, most not requiring high temperatures. Tempe 
ture for cooler types should not drop consistently 
50° F., for warmer types below 60° F. Difference 
day and night temperatures should not exceed 20°>° 
should be gradual. 
FOOD: Terrestrial orchids should be fed 
guano, fish meal, well-aged barnyard manure or ce : 
cial fertilizers to the soil. Feeding epiphytes is debatable; 
some growers feed . i i 
Until information is proven, additional feeding<is 
recommended for beginners. Epiphytes will obfai 
cient nutrition from the osmunda in which they 
from watering. 
the root system and the leaves. Water the root system unti 
it begins to drip from the pot bottom. Allow the roo 
system to become almost dry before watering again... 
usually a period of 5 to 10 days depending on the atmo- 
sphere. Leaves should be moistened by a mist or spray, 
usually every day, more often in hot, dry weather. Humid- 
ity should not be less than 40% nor more than 70%, 
Some fluctuation is beneficial. 
History: Prior to 1890 orchids grew almost exclu- 
sively in private collections of the well-to-do. Owners 
depended on collectors in the jungles of South 
America and tropical Asia for their supplies of 
flowering plants. Most commercial orchid establish- 
ments even had their own representatives in the 
jungles to handle the collecting and exporting of 
plants. As a result of scientific research, today most 
orchid plants are raised from seed by a very exacting 
scientific procedure for the first few years but after 
a plant is two or three years old, requirements are 
much less and no more exacting than growing roses. 
oe Our Cattieya St. Petersburg variety, 
“The Mayor", a fine pure white named 
© in 1949 in honor of the first orchid 
show to be held in this city. It has 
won us four first prizes in orchid show 
& exhibits to the present date. 
HOME CULTURE 
Having learned what orchids are, and their basic cultural 
requirements, let us consider practical methods of home 
culture. There are three of these methods .. . “window 
sill”, wardian case, and greenhouse. Since beginners seldom 
have greenhouses, only the first two methods are con- 
sidered here. For window sill culture, choose a window 
exposed to considerable sunlight. Provide thin curtains, 
or other means of filtering light so_tk that the plants are not 
exposed to the full strength of the di irect sun rays. Place 
glass or metal vessels in the window, and put the plants 
re or wood slat racks over the vessel. Place gravel, 
re oal in the vessels, and keep this material 
a all titmes. Evaporation/from this material pro- 
vides. nunnidity for the atmosphere. Water the root system 
by simply pouring water on the top of the pot until it 
~ -begins.t to drip at t e: bottom. An: atomizer will provide a 
; Jeaves; of, if this_is not practical, 
k the sink and sprayed. As nearly 
p the room temperature above 60°. Tem- 
yle to humans are usually also com- 
Sr eg duumidity may be controlled more 
easily than on a window sill. These cases may be pur- 
hased ready made or be home-made by one handy with 
tools. A favorite, method of construction is to build a 
id bottom of boards, four stationary sides of window- 
‘and hingé a top of window sash. Bore a few holes 
ottom for ventilation; place on the bottom a metal 
SSS container of gravel or coke; place the plants on a rack 
Soh over this container and your plants are ready to grow and 
v “bloom. The case may be any size desired and placed 
Where the plants will receive an abundance of light. The 
exterior finish may be made to conform to the interior 
decorating scheme of the rest of the room. 
