JC-NRLF DE3 Orchid House in the Natural Style. COOL ORCHIDS, HOW TO GROW THEM; WITH A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF ALL THE BEST SPECIES IN CULTIVATION IF. W. Formerly of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Author of *' The Art of Botanical Drawing," fyc., Afc, LONDON: ROBERT HARDWICKE, 192, PICCADILLY, 1874. PEEFACE. COOL-GROWING ORCHIDS have a great future before them. Many of them may be grown to perfection with the same trouble and expense that are required to grow a Heath or an Azalea. The house in which they will succeed best should be one whose climate resembles that of a genial promenade rather than a vapour bath an atmosphere peculiar to the East Indian House. We have yet to import some fine additions to the group of cool Orchids generally, for many of the best of the Masdevallias, Cypripediums, and Odoiitoglossums yet linger unseen in their native habitats. Who shall say what novelties will be brought to light when the western slopes of the Andes or the mountains to the north of India have been thoroughly explored by collectors ? The works of Bateman, Warner, Anderson, Williams, and others having created a love for Orchids, we offer this little hand-book as an easy and simple guide to the general cultivation of such as will luxuriate freely in a cool or intermediate temperature. The frontispiece here figured was originally published in the first volume of the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society of London. January \st, 1874. W;IXT COlSTTJElSrTS. INTRODUCTION ...... i PURCHASING ORCHIDS 10 POTTING AND WATERING 15 RESTING ORCHIDS 19 SPECIFIC VARIATION ...... 24 ORCHID HOUSES 27 ORCHID HOUSES IN THE NATURAL STYLE ... 34 IMPORTING ORCHIDS ... ... ... 37 ORCHIDS FOR THE SITTING-BOOM 41 HYBRIDISING ORCHIDS 43 PROPAGATION OF ORCHIDS 49 Noxious INSECTS 53 DESCRIPTIVE LIST 55 HARDY CYPRIPEDIUMS ... 135 GENERAL INDEX ... ... 141 ILLU STRATIO1ST S. ORCHID POT 15 MOVEABLE WATER TANK 18 SPAN -ROOFED ORCHID HOUSE ... ... ... ... 28 COOL ORCHID HOUSE AT FERNIEHURST 29 LEAN-TO ORCHID HOUSE (section) ... ... ... ... 30 YlNERY AND ORCHID HOUSE (section) ... ... ... 31 SEXUAL ORGANS or ORCHIDS 45 SEEDLING DENDROBIUMS 50 PHAJUS AND PHAL^NOPSIS ... ... ... 51 AERIDES CRISPUM ... CATTLEYA MOSSI^E ... ... ... ... ... 65 CATTLEYA TRIANLE 67 CYPRIPEDIUM BARBATUM YEITCHII ... ... ... ... 71 CYPRIPEDIUM CAUDATUM 73 CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRIEANEUM 75 CYPRIPEDIUM VILLOSUM ... ... ... ... 77 ORCHID PANS ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 COOL ORCHID GROWING. INTRODUCTION. WHEN Orchids were first imported into this country, from tropical and subtropical regions, an idea that they all required excessive heat to grow them, appears to have been promulgated and accepted as gospel truth by horticulturists of all classes. To the earlier Orchid-growers it would appear to have been a matter of but little moment where a plant might have come from, or under what climatic conditions it grew in its native habitat The Orchids under their management might come from the humid valleys of the Indian archipelago, the arid regions of South or Western Africa, the mountain chains of Mexico or Peru, or even the snow line of the towering Andes^ but their treatment was the same, and they were placed in the hottest temperature at command ; and even now the highest tempera- ture often means the driest, and this was specially so under the old flue system of heating. Under these adverse conditions we can hardly wonder that many of the newly imported Orchids died in a few months, more or less, after their intro- duction. Now and then, however, they produced a few flowers, often the last effort of expiring nature, and scarcely properly developed ; still their delicate colours and grateful fragrance soon began to be spoken of from mouth to mouth, as they flowered at intervals in the early collections. At one time it would be the celebrated Loddiges who would summons B Z COOL ORCHID GROWING. the savans and literati of the day to inspect some new wonder among the then marvellous " air plants." Then it would be at Chiswick in its palmy days, when, as the acknowledged head centre of horticulture, if not of fashion, everything ran smoothly as a marriage bell, while not unfrequently the then authorities at Kew had the indescribable pleasure of seeing one or other of these lovely plants unfold their delicate petals for the first time in Europe. Although a large proportion of the first, or early specimens, might now be considered but poor plants, still they attracted the notice of nearly everyone interested in plants at the time, including the Duke of Devon- shire and the celebrated Mrs. Lawrence, and they have rapidly risen in the estimation, not only of the professional horti- culturist, but also of the general public ever since. Those who invest in Orchids judiciously, and employ men of intelligence and skill to grow them, will receive good interest for their capital. In most cases their plants will increase in value, while the real and lasting pleasure which ever attends the mind capable of contemplating these living wonders, will amply repay any slight outlay on these the most beautiful of all plants. We would not be understood as implying that Orchids alone are worthy of culture, that they only can inspire the heart with kindly feelings and thankfulness. On the contrary, we argue that all plants are beautiful, all worthy of our respectful admiration, and we shall find that the more we understand of their cultural requirements and economy, the more we shall admire them as they one by one open their delicate flowers. All plants are beautiful Orchids are super- latively so, and not by any means so difficult to cultivate as some would have us suppose. Still the old idea of excessive heat is rigidly adhered to by many, although we rarely find Orchids enjoying vigorous health in such places, while in the comparatively few places where cool Orchids are cultivated in INTRODUCTION. J real earnest, they may be found enjoying the most luxuriant health. The finest collections of Odontoglots, Disas, Oncids, and Masdevallias in this country have been subjected to a cool system or regime since their first introduction. This is a very important fact ; for every Orchid grower knows that healthy imported plants are far better to deal with than such debili- tated specimens as have been ruined by bad cultivation in a high and dry atmosphere. Although many Orchids grow well in a low mean temperature, still they require the atmosphere to be heavily charged with moisture, and the Sphagnum Moss on the pot tops should be as fresh and grow as freely as if in its native swamps. "Wherever, in our Orchid houses, we find Sphagnum and Droseras growing freely on the tops of the pots, we also, as a natural sequence, find the Orchids looking green and healthy. The reason of this coinci- dence is simply this the Droseras and Sphagnum will only survive in a moist, moderately-shaded situation, and the shade and moisture requisite to keep them alive are also neces- sary to the vigorous health of the Orchids. The only reason why we cannot extend this rule is, that the Moss and Droseras do not absolutely require artificial heat, and the Orchids do for part of the year at least. Robert Warner, Esq., of Broomfield, has been very successful in his attempts at cool Orchid grow- ing, and with him, as with others, the growth under this regime has been vigorous, producing great, plump, well-ripened pseudo bulbs, fine foliage, and abundance of finely-developed flowers. A plant of Odontoglossum Alexandras grown by Mr. James Anderson, at Meadowbank, produced a fine branched spike, bearing fifty-six flowers. This plant was grown along with many other Odontoglots and Masdevallias, in a cool pit, and has never been surpassed so far as flowering is concerned. Another remarkable instance occurred at Ferniehurst, the seat of E. B 2 4 COOL ORCHID GROWING. Salt, Esq. ; a plant of Oncidium macranthum produced a long flexuous branched spike bearing seventy-seven noble flowers. The house in which this plant is grown, along with half-a- dozen other plants of the same species, is kept very cool, the atmosphere is very moist, and the temperature not unfre- quently descends as low as 38, though as nearly as possible the mean winter temperature is 45, that is 50 for the maxi- mum and 40 for the minimum range. Cool Orchid growing was long ago practised on the con- tinent, for we find that in 1852 M. Franois Josst, gardener to Count Thun Hohenstein, at Tetschen, in Bohemia, grew several Orchids out of doors in a sheltered position. We will, how- ever, let him relate his own mode of procedure : In 1852 I observed that some of the species did not flower well ; and it then occurred to me to place them in the open air in the early part of July. The plants which I put" out were Brasavola glauca, Cymbidium marginatum, Cypripedium insigne, Dendrobium Pringianurn, D. speciosum, and Lycaste Skinneri. They grew per- fectly, although in the morning the temperature was sometimes as low as 5 Eeaumur (43 Fahr.) . In the daytime the heat in the shade was often as high as 30 Eeaumur (99^ Fahr.). Tetschen is subject to frequent changes of temperature; it is surrounded by mountains, and is in a valley along which the Elbe flows after receiving all the waters of Bohemia. I took the plants in at the end of August. After a short time flower-buds made their appearance, and a little while afterwards flowers followed in perfection. This good result led me to try the same experiment again on a larger scale ; and I have since repeated it every year, until I am now in the habit of putting seventy-five species or varieties out into the air for three 'months in the year, viz., June, July, and August. What I do is this : I select a half-shady place, where I put some trunks of trees (Oaks), on which I place my baskets of Orchids. Between the trunks I plant Ferns, some Philodendron pertusum, Tradescantia zebrina and viridis, and Cissus marmorea, so as to produce a pretty effect. In order to protect the plants against the scorching rays of the sun and very heavy rains, I cover the spot with canvas, but INTRODUCTION. I endeavour to avoid too much shade, for I find that plants which are shaded too much never flower so well as others. I water in the ordinary way employed in hothouses. This year the temperature has several times fallen as low as 4 Keaumur (41 Fahr.), but the plants have not suffered in the least ; they are even more vigorous ; several of them actually flowered. These facts prove that many gardeners keep their Orchids and other exotics too hot. All plants require some period of rest in order to vegetate well. The fol- lowing is a list of the Orchids which I treated in the way alcove described : Barkeria spectabilis, Batem. Brasavola glauca, Lindl. Calauthe striata, E. Br. Cattleya citrina, Lindl. Coelia macrostachya, Lindl. Cypiipedium insigne, Wall. ,, ,, var. parvi- flomm, Echb. fil. Dendrobium calamiforme, Lodd. Jenkinsii, Wall. Pringianum, Bidw. speciosum, Sm. Ep dendrum Candollei, Lindl. cochleatuin, L. diffusum, Sw. falcatum, Lindl. radiatum, Lindl. selligerum, Batem. Skinneri, Batem. Stamfordianum, Batem. varicosum, Batem. virgatum, Lindl. vitellinum, Lindl. Gongora galeata, Echb. fil. Batemani, Echb. fil. luteola, Echb. fil. Lselia acuminata, Lindl. albida, Batem. anceps, Lindl. var. Barkeriana, Hort. var. superba, Hort. autumnalis, Lindl. Candida, Hort. j, furfuracea, Lindl. Galeottiana, Morren. Ly caste majalis, Lindl. rubescens, Lodd. Lycaste sjiperbiens, Lindl. j, violacea, Echb. fil. aromatica, Lindl. Colleyi, Lindl. consobrina, Echb. fil. cruenta, LindL Skinneri, Lindl. ,, var. alba, Hort. var. latimaculata, Hort. var. leucochila, Hort. var. picta, Hort. Maxillaria cucullata, Lindl. ,, tenuifolia, LindL Odontoglossum bictoniense, Lindl. 3 , citrosnium, Lindl. Cervantesii, Llave. grande, Lindl. Insleayii, Lindl. leeve, Lindl. nebulosum, Lindl. pulchellum, Batem. ,, var. grandiflorum, Hort. Oncidium bicallosum, Lindl. filipes, Lindl. leucochihtm, Batem. microchilum, Batern. sphacelatum, Lindl. ,, suave, Lindl. Sobralia decora, Batem. dichotoma, E. et. Pav. Liliastrum, Lindl. macrantha, Lindl. ,, violacea, Lindl. Stanhopea connata, Echb. fil. Trichopilia tortilis, Lindl. ,, ,, var. pallida, Hort. Although, as is proved by the above collection, many Orchids O COOL ORCHID GROWING. will grow well in a low, moist temperature, or even out of doors, still it is essentially requisite that a proper selection be made of those genera and species which are amenable to cool treatment, or very disastrous results may follow its adoption. JSTo one would for a moment imagine 'that, the Phalsenopsids, Aerides, Yandas, and Dendrobes from the low-lying humid tropical regions could be successfully grown in the very cool and moist temperature so highly recommended as suitable for Odontoglots and the cooler Oncids. Nor can the last-men- tioned endure the dry resting period so essential to most of the tropical Dendrobes. Some growers may argue that these plants, i. e., Odontoglossums for example, do not come from a cool temperature. We can well afford to allow them their own preconceived ideas on the subject, while we maintain that in this country they may be grown in a cool, moist atmosphere as well, and even better than they have been grown in the high temperature they recommend. I contend that it matters but little what the natural temperature of their native habitats may be ; if they succeed well with us here in a much cooler one so much the better. It is a great mistake to use fire heat when it is not required. In the first place it is unnatural even when mollified as much as is practicable by moisture. Secondly, it is a source of trouble, annoyance, and expense both to the gar- dener and his employer, and I am well satisfied that a great number of really beautiful Orchids will succeed perfectly well without any fire -heat at all during summer, while during the winter months its use may be reduced to a minimum, by carefully using covering material far the houses, as mats either of reeds, straw, or bark. I would not be understood as ignoring altogether the valuable information afforded us by collectors and travellers respecting the natural conditions in which plants grow abroad, since that knowledge guides us in our treatment to a certain extent, though it would not in all INTRODUCTION. 7 cases be desirable, even were it possible, to follow out to the letter the natural conditions and surroundings under which the plants are found to exist or luxuriate, as the case may be, in their native habitats. For example, some of the Moulmein Dendrobes are scorched and shrivelled up during the dry season of the year ; but it does not follow that they are bene- fited thereby, any more than are our lawns and pastures by the scorching heat of our own summer season, added to a lack of moisture. In our artificial treatment of Orchids we can supply them with moisture in unlimited quantities, and we are able to keep a high temperature for those that require it ; but the third great essential is not so much at our dis- posal. I allude to light, which fortunately is not quite so essential for cool Orchids as for the Indian Dendrobes, Phaleenopsids, &c. Lieut.-Colonel Benson tells us that the flowers produced on our Dendrobiums here at home are deficient in colour and brightness ; this no doubt is the result of our comparatively dull, cloudy atmosphere. Another great requisite in the culture of all Orchids, more especially the cool section, is full and free ventilation, not only during the daytime but also through the night, of course taking precautions against cold draughts, by tacking coarse tiffany or perforated zinc over the openings. If ventilation is beneficial during the daytime, why not during the night ? I never could see the reason why plant-houses should be almost hermetically closed during night-time, and kept so close and hot as they generally are. A cool and airy night temperature is far more conducive to health and vigour than a hot and close one, more especially for Odontoglots, Oncids, and Orchids generally from the Mexican or Peruvian Andes. J. Bateman, Esq., years ago promulgated the system of cool treatment as being applicable to a great number of very beautiful and interesting Orchids, and in his own practice, 8 COOL ORCHID GROWING. with one of the finest collections in the world, he demon- strated its usefulness, and gave an impetus to cool Orchid growing which is at present rapidly on the increase. Haying visited many establishments where cool Orchids are grown, I must admit that I never found them the reverse of healthy, except where moisture was sparingly applied or a dry atmo- sphere maintained during the winter months. I would more particularly recommend imported Odontoglots, which happily are now imported in large quantities, to be potted and placed in a cool house, in order to start them into growth. If healthy strong pieces, they will start far better than in a hot temperature. Imported plants do not require so much water as established plants ; still a moist atmosphere must be preserved, in order to prevent loss from the bulbs by evapora- tion. Carefully shade them from the bright sunshine, or evaporation will impair their energies, even if a humid atmosphere is maintained at the same time. This last remark is worth the attention of plant growers, its truth having been demonstrated by no less an authority than Dr. MoNab, of the Cirencester College. I am well aware that respiration is essentially requisite, more especially in the case of strong vigorous plants, but to expose unrooted or sickly plants to the sun is the quickest and surest way of thoroughly sapping their life's blood, and can only end in extreme debility of constitution, from which they rarely again recover, and in some cases actually die. It may be argued that in' the tropics certain species are fully exposed to the sun, and flourish in the most exposed positions best. This I would not deny, because I have elicited it from gentlemen of integrity, who themselves have gathered specimens of Den- drobes, more especially of D. formosum, in like positions. Still in the tropics they are in a state of nature, with the air freely playing round them, and are not subjected to the inter- INTllODUCTION. 9 vention of a glaring crystal roof and a close unhealthy at- mosphere rendered arid by the dry and unnatural heat ema- nating from the hot water apparatus. It has been justly ob- served that " circumstances alter cases," and this is especially correct in the case in point, where on one side we have a plant in a state of unfettered, or rather, unperverted nature, and on the other, the same plant, perhaps, surrounded by a compli- cated series of artificial circumstances and conditions, between which a continual warfare is going on instead of perfect harmony and peaceful repose. Again, we are frequently told that Orchids require houses to themselves, but really, in all truth, a greater or more absurd fallacy could not easily be promulgated. One would almost be led to infer from this that Orchids were exclusive, and occupied some particular portions of our globe, to the utter exclusion of all other vegetation. We can grow the Palms, Melastomads, Begonias, Ferns, and Peperomias in an ordinary plant stove, but the Orchids which have grown side by side with them in their native habitats must be placed in a structure called an "Orchid house" ere they can be expected to succeed in our gardens at home. There are hundreds of plant stoves in this country in which Orchids might be grown as well as in the best Orchid house ever made, were it not for the superstitious principles entertained by many on the above point. It may be taken as a rule that wherever tropical Ferns and fine foliage plants succeed, there also Orchids, or at least many of them, would luxuriate, often with far greater chances of success than when placed in our so-called " Orchid houses," which, however desirable, are not absolutely essential to Orchid culture. 10 COOL ORCHID GllOWING. HINTS ON PURCHASING OECHIDS. IN buying Orchids, there are a few important questions to be considered. Some amateurs prefer to commence with esta- blished plants, and these are the best in the generality of places, more especially where no regular Orchid grower is employed; but where there is already a good established, healthy, blooming collection and a skilful and intelligent Orchid grower, a few good imported plants may be added from time to time, and they will not be found so difficult to establish as some would have us suppose. The truth is that there have been thousands of beautiful Orchids from the higher ranges of the South American continent or Northern India killed by being subjected to a high temperature and an arid unhealthy atmosphere. Orchids are naturally very tenacious of life, far more so than many Ericas and other hard-wooded plants, still hundreds are annually killed by being exposed to too much heat and far too little moisture. Hence we are often told that Orchids are very difficult to establish and expensive to manage afterwards. This is untrue, however, as far as cool Orchids are concerned. It is very well known that imported plants invariably make better established specimens in far less time than an old-established plant which has become debilitated by bad treatment. There are many ways of buying Orchids, and we will just glance at one or two of these. Supposing that you know Orchids well, you may buy your own plants, being guided as to prices by any good Orchid catalogue. There are great advantages to be derived from buying in quantity, and special quotations for most of the Orchids in cultivation will be furnished on application to the principal nurserymen, who make these plants a speciality in their HINTS ON PURCHASING ORCHIDS. 11 establishments. Some growers, ever ready with objections, will say that dozens or half dozens are too many for them, two or three being all they require. To these I would recommend that they form a sort of association in conjunction with neigh- bouring cultivators, buying plants in quantity which can afterwards be equally divided, to suit all parties concerned. Still many cool Orchids should be grown in quantity in every collection, and if liberally treated will furnish a fine show of bloom for every month in the year. Indeed where Odoiitoglossum Alexandra is grown in quantity, it alone may be had in flower all the year round, or with but little inter- mission. All who contemplate commencing Orchid growing should begin with the free-growing profuse-blooming species, and if these succeed and give satisfaction, which they assuredly will do if rationally treated, the newer and rarer kinds may be added as opportunities present themselves. The first com- mencement of nearly every Orchid collection is but a series of trials and experiments, and it is always best to experi- mentalise with the commoner plants rather than with the rarer, and consequently more valuable species. Many amateurs have a fancy for purchasing newly imported plants, and this can be done most weeks at the auction rooms. It is as well, however, to inform them that they will have to compete with the various nurserymen or their Orchid growers, men who have in the majority of cases an extensive knowledge and well matured experience of the plants they wish to buy. There are always many additional attractions about imported and unbloomed plants, and a keen pleasure in watching their buds slowly expand, perhaps for the first time in Europe. Added to this there is always a possibility of obtaining some new or rare species or varieties amongst them. For example, C. Stead, Esq., of Baildon, and T. A. Titley, Esq., of Gledhow, Leeds, both fortunately obtained the chaste Lycaste alba 12 COOL ORCHID GROWING. amongst imported lots of L. Skinneri. The delicate little Cypri- pedium niveum was bought as 0. concolor, and the lovely Phalrenopsis Luddemanni was sold for P. (equestris) rosea. The golden Oncidium Marshallianum was supposed to be the old and well-known 0. crispum, until it flowered. Still it is " not all gold that glitters," and in trusting to habit and external characteristics one may be grievously disappointed, as when the dusky Oncidium pubes is obtained in mistake for the glorious Oncidium (sarcodes) amictum. The grandest of all Oncids, 0. macranthum, closely resembles in external appear- ance several other species much inferior to it in beauty. Col- lectors would not be agreeably surprised were they to obtain plants of the dingy-flowered Oncidium macropus instead of O. macranthum ; in habit the two species are identical. The same remark applies with nearly equal force to Eeichenbach's striped Oncid (0. zebrinum). Dendrobes vary greatly in habit, according to the conditions under which they are grown. In the collection of Orchids at Fairfield, a plant of D. Farmeriihad elongated bulbs, exactly like D. densiflorum, being from 12 to 15 inches long, and still, when received by them, it had the short, thick, quadrangular bulb, commonly met with in this species. Dendrobium bigibbum is a very rare and valu- able kind, but the would-be possessors of this plant must not confound this and the dingy green and purple -flowered D. brisbanensis, a worthless species that resembles it very closely in habit. Oncidium splendidum resemble's the poor 0. microchilum, and there are many other Orchids which closely resemble each other in habit, so much so that even experienced cultivators find a difficulty in distinguishing them even when in a healthy condition, much less when shrivelled after importation. Schomburgkia crispa and Laelia superbiens are nearly iden- tical in habit, while Odontoglossum cordatum and 0. macu- HINTS OX PURCHASING ORCHIDS. 1 '> latum closely resemble each other in their foliage and psendo bulbs. Cypripedium caudatum and Uropedium Lindeni are identical in habit, and but little difference exists between Cattleya Skinneri and the orange-flowered Epidendrum auran- tiacum. Some forms of Dendrobium Pierardi very nearly resemble plants of the elegant D. Devonianum, more espe- cially when denuded of their foliage, as is generally the case after importation. The pseudo bulbs of Odontoglossum Pesca- torei somewhat resemble those of 0. triumphans, but in this case but little disappointment will follow if a mistake is made, since both are beautiful. Cattleya labiata and C. Warneri are much the same in habit, as, indeed, are all the numerous forms of this beautiful group. After a little study and close habits of observation, the dis- tinctive appearances of Orchids will be fixed in the eye and mind, although even the most experienced are occasionally s deceived in their external characteristics, which, as a matter of course, are liable to much variation according to the different local surroundings to which they have been exposed in their native habitats. There is always a possibility, as before stated, of obtaining new or rare varieties, and the chances are much more in favour of this occurring when, as is frequently the case, the collector does not see all the plants in bloom. Of course when they are collected by resident botanists, they are in most cases found to be correctly named on their arrival in this country, and are then sold as named plants. Imported plants are sold by most of the principal Orchid growing nur- serymen at rates considerably lower than those demanded for established plants. More pleasure will be derived from growing the cooler Orchids, in proportion to the capital expended, than can possibly be obtained by cultivating the far more expensive species from the tropical lowlands. Many of the finer species may now be obtained at prices scarcely above those of the 14 COOL ORCHID GROWING. better class stove and greenhouse plants, while their cultiva- tion does not cost more than that of ordinary greenhouse plants. We find that gentlemen become so annoyed at seeing their plants in bad condition that they refuse to purchase new or rare kinds, and in many cases give up Orchid growing altogether, simply because they have been unfortunate in the choice of men to grow them. Only give Orchids rational treatment, with plenty of moisture both at the roots and in the atmosphere, and you will not have to complain of their being difficult to manage. Orchids are the most difficult plants to kill, judging from the diverse systems of treatment to which they are subjected; yet for perfect success they must, from their first introduction, be subjected to a course of good culture, and then, instead of flaccid foliage and shrivelled pseudo-bulbs, we shall have sturdy health, followed by an abundant crop of large and finely -formed flowers. It is impossible to kill Orchids by having too much moisture in the atmosphere, though many hundreds are annually killed by keeping the atmosphere in which they are grown too dry. Never try experiments with valuable Orchids ; follow the accepted treatment with these, and experiment if experiment you must with common and cheap kinds. POTTING AND WATERING ORCHIDS. 15 POTTING AND WATERING- ORCHIDS. THESE are important operations, and, in conjunction with atmo- spheric moisture, must be considered to be the foundation of Orchid cultivation. Carbonic acid gas is always liberated in more or less quantities by decomposing vegetable substances, and this gas, together with ammonia in small quantities, is very beneficial, indeed actually essential to the growth and vigour of growing plants of all kinds. It is a notable fact that most cool Orchids grow best in decaying vegetable matter More especially does this remark apply to such Orchids as Layer of Sphagnum. Small Crocks. Large Crocks. Orchid Pot, drained and ready for compost. Odontoglossums and Masdevallias. Most of the Cypripediums will grow in turfy loam, but the more fibre it contains the b etter they will grow, a fact which conclusively proves that they derive their nutriment more from the decaying vegetable matter contained in it than from the mineral or earthy con- stituents of the compost. Again, every cultivator knows how vigorously the old Cypripedium insigne and C. barbatum and its varieties grow in peat, sand, and dried cow-dung, and this ]t) COOL ORCHID GHOWIXG. is nearly exclusively a compost of decayed vegetation. The sand of course contributes nothing of a nutritive character to the plant, but it keeps the compost in a porous condition. While speaking of sand I would recommend that great care be taken in its selection, for some of the sand obtained in lime- stone districts is injurious, on account of the quantity of lime which it contains. Sand should be carefully washed, and if the water becomes milky it should not be employed, as in that case it would do more harm than good. In potting Orchids perfect cleanliness should be observed, not only as regards the pots themselves, but also with respect to the drainage, or *' crocks," which should be carefully and thoroughly washed and dried previous to their being used. For Odontoglots Oncids, and Masdevallias, the pots should be at least half full, or rather more than less, of crocks, a layer of very small ones being placed on the top of the larger pieces, to prevent the compost from being washed down, and thus preventing the superfluous water from passing away freely. The compost itself should consist of really good and fresh fibrous peat, to which may be added about one-fourth of well dried horse-droppings, a little chopped living sphagnum, and a few broken crocks, adding a sufficient quantity of coarse well-washed river sand, ordinary white sand being generally too fine for this purpose. This compost is the best that can be used for the majority of cool Orchids, and if placed on good drainage will be found to hold water only by absorption, as it were, or by capillary attraction. This is the principle on which all Orchids should be grown. There must be no obstruction to the free riddance of superfluous moisture, or the compost will quickly become sour, and then the roots will decay. It has been repeatedly observed that cool Orchids, more especially Odontoglots, can never be supplied with too much water at the root when growing, provided the compost is fresh POTTING AND WATERING ORCHIDS. 17 and open, and that the drainage is perfect. The same remark applies to the glorious terrestrial Cape Orchid, Disa graiidi- flora. This, in addition to a liberal supply of moisture at the roots, should be syringed several times daily when in full growth ; it should be kept in a very cool house or pit, and in a shady position. When the pot has been drained place a thin layer of sphagnum, the best you have, over the drainage, and upon this put the compost. Carefully spread out the roots and pack firmly with the compost, but use caution, and do not crush or bruise them, or they will decay. See that the bases of the bulbs are slightly elevated above the rim of the pot, and water the plants but sparingly at first, until the production of fresh roots demands a fuller supply. The best method of watering well-established, healthy-growing plants is to have a galvanised iron or wooden tank, say 4 feet long by 2 or 2| feet broad and from 2 to 3 feet deep. Get this mounted on a low carriage with four solid wooden wheels, and when filled or nearly so with tepid soft water, it can be drawn the entire length of the house, and the plants, or rather the pots, plunged into it and held there until thoroughly saturated. This is the best way of supplying water to the roots of healthy growing plants, but it should not be adopted unless the compost is per- fectly porous and well drained. Again, it is the only way by which Orchids on blocks can be thoroughly well supplied with moisture at their roots. The best plan to pursue with regard to watering is to care- fully observe the habits of the plants themselves ; when they evince a tendency to stop growing, or to rest, water should be gradually withheld, only giving just enough to prevent shrivelling. When they commence to grow, and to produce roots, they should be encouraged by the application of more moisture, both at the roots and in the atmosphere, no matter at what period of the year this may occur. If the moisture 18 COOL OECHID GROWING. has been reduced in consequence of most of the species con- tained in the house being at rest, and if one or two species that require extra heat, except when at rest, commence to grow, they should be removed to a more humid atmosphere, as, for instance, a moderately warm greenhouse or intermediate house, where they should be suspended, or staged as near to the glass, i.e., light, as possible, for during the dull period of the year they require all the light they can possibly obtain. All Orchids require an abundant supply of moisture and a fresh, porous, well-drained compost, and many of them, if Moveable Water Tank. favoured with these essential conditions, will not only bear without injury a mean winter temperature of 45 to 50, but will actually make most vigorous and luxuriant growth in that comparatively low temperature. KESTDsG ORCHIDS. RESTING- ORCHIDS. EVERY person acquainted with this class of plants will readily admit that, as a rule, rest is essential to their successful culti- vation. There is, however, a great difference in the duration as well as in the manner of resting the different species of Orchids which we have now in cultivation. In their native habitats they are materially influenced by the various atmo- spheric conditions in which they are for the time being placed. Take, for example, our own native terrestrial Orchids Listera and Habenaria. During winter, they are silently resting beneath the surface of the earth ; but though resting, they are, as a matter of course, liberally supplied with moisture. In a manner analogous to this, the glorious South African Disa grandiflora is partially or entirely submerged during its period of repose ; and when cultivating it here at home we find it necessary to keep it in a state of moisture nearly the whole year round. On the other hand, we find many Indian Orchids terrestrial ones as Cypripedium concolor, Phalse- nopsis Lowii, and others that rest during the hot and dry period of the year, and only commence their growth with the rainy season. Indeed, the Phalasnopsis alluded to is often, dried off, and becomes deciduous, on its native rocks in Moulmein. In cultivation, however, it is inadvisable to subject it to such treatment, and, as it retains its foliage throughout the year, its rest with us is far less decided. Again, Calanthes or rather Preptanthes may be kept comparatively dry for three months without doing them any material injury. On the other hand, some of the cooler-growing Oncids and Odontoglots, as Oncidium macraiithum, 0. serratum (dia- dema), Odontoglossum Alexandras, 0. Uro-Skirmeri, and many other species require but little rest ; indeed, with these c 2 20 COOL ORCHID GUOWING. the period of repose is reduced to a minimum, as they persist, . if left to themselves, in growing and flowering all the year round. More especially is this habit shown when the plants are grown in a cool, airy, and moist atmosphere. Cattleyas and some of their congeners, the Lcelias, exhibit the same tendency to keep on making a perpetual growth, more especially if supplied with air and moisture, added to a moderately cool temperature of, say, 50 to 55 at night. Still it must be allowed that a periodical season of repose is more essential to insure the profuse production of flowers on these plants than it is in the case of the Oncids and Odontoglots before mentioned. There is, however, another way of resting Orchids, and one which is apt to be over- looked, though a fact of the greatest importance. Sickly plants should on 110 account be allowed to produce flowers, it being far more essential that they should be induced, as far as possible, to produce leaves, pseudo-bulbs, and roots. Some of the very finest Phalasnopsids in this country may be found at places in which they are allowed to produce but one crop of flowers annually, and even under this treatment their young flower-spikes are judiciously thinned out, so as to leave the one or two remaining to be of the finest quality. Fine plants are often found in places where they cut nearly every flower- spike as its blooms expand. As an illustration of this, I may point to one of the finest collections of " cool Orchids" in Europe, that of Mr. E. Salt, at Ferniehurst, near Leeds; there scores of fine spikes are cut off the plants as soon as their flowers fully expand. This systematic process of re- moving the flowers relieves, or, in other words, rests the plants operated on much more than is generally supposed. It induces an energetic propensity for making fine and vigorous growths, and well-ripened, plump, pseudo bulbs, and hence the plants are far better able to produce an abundant crop of fine RESTING ORCHIDS. 21 spikes and well-formed flowers the year following than they otherwise would be. The mere production of flowers alone, however, requires barely half the constitutional energy which is requisite to produce both flowers and perfect fruit, and therefore, but few Orchids in cultivation, comparatively speak- ing, are capable of producing perfect seed, even when assisted by artificial means. How different is the case in their native habitats ! In fertile tropical regions they luxuriate with a vigour unknown to us here, and in maii3 r cases produce abundance of seeds, which, ripened in the genial light, heat, and air of a tropical climate, eventually become scat- tered on the trunks, stems, and branches of trees, where they germinate in countless hundreds, and thus fill up the deficiencies created by naturalists and collectors. When at rest, Orchids should not be kept in a hot and dry temperature, or it will be found that they will suffer materi- ally from evaporation. How often do we see many rare and valuable species " resting," as it is termed, in the full blazing sun, under a glaring crystal roof, and surrounded by a parched atmosphere ? Day by day their pseudo-bulbs become more wrinkled, their leaves more like brown paper, and yet this per- nicious system of treatment is called " rest." True rest would never rob the pseudo-bulbs of a large proportion of the sap, or elaborated juice, which had been secreted during the preceding season's growth. It is not rest which leaves them in a sickly, debilitated condition, too much exhausted to produce either growth or bloom. Another erroneous impression is, that all Orchids require to be rested during our winter season, or, if not actually rested, kept much drier than during the summer months. This rule, though applicable to some Orchids, must not by any means be applied indiscriminately to all, since we have many 'Odontoglots, Oncids, Dendrobes, Disas, and Masdevallias, to 22 COOL ORCHID GROWING. say nothing of many species belonging to other genera, which commence their growth during our autumn and winter months. To attempt to rest such as do this, or to withhold a sufficiency of moisture either in the atmosphere or at the root, cannot possibly conduce to useful results, but, on the contrary, would do the plants permanent injury. The best results are invariably obtained by cultivators who are ever watchful and careful to assist Nature's efforts, and who are equally cautious never to thwart her in her workings, knowing, as they do, that she is invariably the best, and, in some cases, the only reliable guide to success. The cultivator who would succeed with Orchids, more especially with such as are grown in the- high temperature of the East Indian house, should be careful 1 to supply an abundance of moisture to the atmosphere of the* house during dry, sharp, frosty weather. This may sound absurd to some, but the reason for recommending this course of treatment is obvious. During frosty weather, as a rule, the atmosphere is drier than at any other time, not even excepting the hot days of summer; and in addition to this unnatural dryness, which a glance at the hygrometer will prove, the hot-water pipes are generally scorching hot ; add to these two unnatural conditions the careful use of water so- often advised during winter, and one need not wonder at Vandas and Aerides becoming parched and shrivelled until they look more like leather thongs than what they ought to be if rationally treated. Again, how often are we told that Orchids when in bloom should be removed into a cool and dry temperature, in order that they may last longer in beaut}'. Do they last longer in perfection in a cool and dry atmosphere than they would in a cool and moderately moist atmo- sphere ? I have found the latter to be most favourable to the preservation of flowers, and which I am fully convinced, from experiments with cool Odontoglots and Oncids, will be found RESTING ORCHIDS. 23 to be the case generally. In a dry atmosphere, flowers, as well as bulbs and foliage, continually suffer from excessive evapo- ration, a state of things we should endeavour to avoid as much as possible. A careful and observant cultivator quickly detects by external appearance when any individual plant is about to rest, and then acts accordingly, only supplying just enough moisture to the roots and in the atmosphere to prevent the plant from losing its concentrated energies by means of evapo- ration. This much must be supplied or the plant will suffer far more than it would from being furnished with too much moisture, although more than will prevent the bulbs and leaves from shrivelling is decidedly injurious to plants when at rest. 24 COOL ORCHID GROWING. SPECIFIC VARIATION AMONG ORCHIDS. WE may search through, the entire vegetable kingdom and find but few classes of plants that vary more than Orchids do, so far as depth and richness of colouring and the relative size and shape of the flowers themselves are concerned. They also vary greatly in regard to constitutional vigour, as may be proved by growing a batch of newly imported plants of the same species under precisely the same conditions, when it will invariably be found that some grow much more vigorously than others, although there were no external signs of superiority to be detected amongst them, even by the most experienced grower, when they were first potted. As a striking illustration of their variability, I may cite the lovely winter-flowering Ly caste Skinneri, which varies in colour from the purest white to a very deep rosy variety, having a deep crimson lip ; and this variability is equally apparent in other species belonging to different genera, which run from the typical form into the most distinct and beautiful of varieties imaginable. Cattleyas are notorious fur their protean variability, while the chaste Odontoglossum (crispum) Alexandra that queen of Odontoglots is extremely variable in the size and colouring of its blossoms. PhalaBiiopsis grandiflora exists in many different forms in our collections, several of which are well marked and distinct, not only in the breadth of their sepals, the depth and diffusion of the yellow colour on the lips, but also in the length and breadth of their leaves, as well as in constitutional vigour. The same remarks apply to several other species, as P. Lurlclemamiiana, P. amabilis, and P. Schilleriana ; the latter has the most robust constitution of any species in this truly superb genus, and it is the only species that will subject itself to cool treat- SPECIFIC VARIATION AMONG ORCHIDS. 25 ment. I would here remark that the mere mention of the breadth of a flower gives no substantial proof of its being a first-class variety, since many long-petalled flimsy flowers measure a good deal across, but are comparatively worthless, since they lack breadth and substance in their sepals and petals. In one of the finest collections of Phalaenopsids in this country there are some twenty or thirty imported plants, which vary greatly in breadth of petal and substance. Hence it becomes apparent that when we purchase Orchids, we should be careful to select as good varieties of them as possible. There are some Orchids, too, which vary greatly, not only as has just been related, but also in the length and thickness of their pseudo-bulbs, and in their flowering propensities. For an example of this, take Laelia majalis the Flor de Maio of the Mexican Spaniards of which there are two distinct varieties, differing in the length of their pseudo-bulbs. The short- bulbed variety blooms with tolerable regularity, while the other may be grown on for years without its ever producing a single flower. Mr. James Anderson, gardener to F. Daw- son, Esq., of Meadowbank, has succeeded in flowering this species regularly during these last few years. It will thus be seen that " good varieties " are those which bloom freely, and that produce large, richly coloured flowers of good substance. What, it may be asked, causes this striking divergence from the normal types in different species ? "We can only account for diversity in colour, size, form, and con- stitution, by the fact that in their native habitats, where several species bloom in close proximity simultaneously, they are ex- posed to the fertilising agency of insects, and being reproduced from seed it follows that some proportion, if not all the seedlings, vary as has just been stated. Everyone who has raised seedlings of any class of plants will understand that 26 COOL ORCHID GROWING. they are apt to differ from the parent plant ; more especially is- this the case when these varieties are again cross-fertilised,, producing other plants even more diverse than themselves. I willingly allow that local circumstances and conditions affect plants, and cause variety in individuals to a certain extent, when they exist under different surrounding influences, but the great bulk of our best varieties owe their beauty to cross- breeding, as effected by insect agency. We are well aware that nearly all the seedling Orchids raised in this country, with the exception of Disa grandiflora and Cypripedium Schlimmii,. have proved on flowering to be more or less distinct from their parents, and this is a pretty conclusive proof that cross- fertilisation in their native habitats is the origination of all the beautiful varieties introduced from the tropics. This extreme variability in Orchidaceous plants adds an additional charm to their cultivation, for with what unfeigned anxiety does the amateur or professional cultivator watch an imported plant showing its flower-spike for the first time ! How carefully he compares its pseudo bulbs or foliage with those of its relatives,, and if its external habit of growth does not betray him, if it really is a new species, or an extraordinary variety, with what genuine pleasure does he watch the delicate stranger unfold its floral treasures. Seeing, therefore, that Orchids vary so- much in a wild state, and even under cultivation, need it b& wondered at that portraits of such plants vary ? The difference that exists between representations of the same plant in dif- ferent books has often been a matter of complaint ; but the disparity in question is not by any means greater than may be found to exist in the different varieties of the plants them- selves, from which the drawings were originally made. COOL ORCHID HOUSES. 27 COOL ORCHID HOUSES. A FEW words concerning these may be of service to those who- are about to begin to grow cool Orchids, and have no special convenience for doing so. In the first place, no very elaborate or expensive structure is required, and no costly heating appa- ratus is requisite beyond the amount of hot-water pipe neces- sary to exclude frost from a common greenhouse ; there will, therefore, be a saving in fuel and labour, compared with the expenses attending the culture of Orchids which can only be grown successfully in a close humid stove. For the culture of Odontoglots, Masdevallias, Disas, &c., I would recommend a small span-roofed or lean-to house ; either will do, though a span-roofed one is, perhaps, the more convenient of the two, if a suitable site can be obtained. If a span-roofed house is decided upon, do not build it too large, say, 12 feet wide and 8 feet high. This will be quite large enough to commence with, and will be more likely to give satisfaction than would a larger structure ; the side walls should be 9 inches thick, and about 5 feet or 5 feet 6 inches above the ground level,, leaving spaces for ventilation, as shown in one of the annexed sections, which is a representation of the cool Orchid house at Ferniehurst. Top ventilation should also be amply provided for by a longitudinal flap (as shown in the illustra- tions), which can easily be raised from the inside. The venti- lators in the side walls may be closed by means of wooden slides outside. A house of this description of the simplest- construction, heated efficiently, as shown, by a flow and return 4-inch pipe on each side, may be erected at very little cost. It can be constructed of any length ; one from 60 feet to 70 feet would be large enough for a good-sized collection, and this length might very advantageously be divided in the middle. IS COOL ORCHID GROWING. by a glass partition and door, so as to allow of one compart- ment being kept rather warmer or drier than the other, as might be required. The staging or side benches will be about 4 feet wide and about 4 feet high, or one compartment might have the benches 3 feet high, so as to give more head room to larger plants. These benches should be either stone or slate slabs placed upon cast-iron sup- ports. Iron is better than wood, which will naturally Span Roofed Cool Orchid House, partly below ground.