James O'Brien

“ Wide crosses between species of dissimilar nature, and which have up to the production of the growth point or root appeared to be doing well, having shown that they did not belong to the unfertile, suddenly collapse. Those which have taken a long time to germinate have fallen victims to the minute fungi, and other low forms of vegetable organism, which, commencing at one or two spots, have gradually overgrown the surface of the pot and destroyed them. The stronger are often destroyed by small insects, while drip, however carefully guarded against, claims its share of the spoil. ”

“ To those who know anything about the ordinary processes of growth and flower the plants tell their own tale. They show when actively growing the period when a reasonable amount of heat and moisture is required, and, on the completion of growth of the deciduous species and the turning yellow of the leaves, they tell just as plainly when the resting period has arrived. ”

“ There is very much in the old-time advice, "Grow your plants clean," for a very large proportion of Orchid diseases and insect pests are due to errors in cultivation, more especially in the regulation of the temperature and the ventilation. Insanitary houses lower the vitality of the plants, and vegetation, like human beings, is a prey to disease when kept in unhealthy conditions. ”

“ If a draught of hot air to any part of the house from beneath the staging is observed, it is a good plan to build up openly-laid screens or brick walls 4-1/2 inches thick, the layers of brick being placed so that there is half the length of the brick opening between each brick and the next to it. Where there is a sufficient command of heat, these openly-laid brick walls, without mortar, built up below the side staging and running parallel with the edge of it, if they are syringed frequently, assist materially in preserving a healthy moisture in the house. ”

“ At the same time, the popularisation of Orchid culture is only now in its very commencement. Amateurs are but just beginning to realise that Orchids, like other plants, are capable of being understood by any one who really desires to understand them; and, when once understood, the cool species, at any rate, are not less tractable than common greenhouse plants. ”

“ The sprayer is a great help in all stages of seedling Orchid growth, not only as a means of conveying moisture direct, but by spraying around the plants and on the staging it is a great aid to maintaining a moist atmosphere. Let the moisture be conveyed in whatever manner it may, it must not be forgotten that the seeds will perish soon after germination if allowed to get quite dry, either from failure of moisture in the material on which they are sown, or from an excessively dry air surrounding them. ”

“ In most cases, a thorough drying, even if it does not destroy a seedling, causes the flowering season to be delayed by a year, or even longer.
The careful shading of the seedling house is a very important matter. Very young plants do best in a subdued light, and until they are quite strong plants they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. A hot summer often kills even the plants which have been brought satisfactorily through a long winter. ”

“ The same species, or one closely allied, also attacks the young roots of Cattleyas, Lælias, and their hybrids, causing unsightly galls on the points of the roots. Fumigation, with some safe preparation to destroy the fly, should be carried out, and every young growth and root-point as soon as they are seen to be affected should be cut off and burnt. By adopting these remedies it is possible to get rid of the pest. In purchasing freshly imported plants, care should be taken to reject those which show signs of having been affected by the fly. ”

“ Free ventilation should be provided, but at all seasons when drying, east winds prevail, especially in winter and early spring, the bottom ventilators should be only opened slightly, the top ones being kept closed; the laps of the glass of the roof will admit sufficient air. Moisture should be freely distributed about the house by syringing beneath the staging and between the pots in summer, but in winter the houses, if kept at the prescribed low temperature, will be moist without much water being distributed. ”

“ As regards the form of structure, comparatively low, span-roofed houses, with brick sides reaching to the eaves, and no side glass, are the best, the ends being of brick up to the height of the side walls, the remaining part running up to the ridge, in all but very small houses, being formed of wood and glass. If several houses are built, spaces should be left between each house, and no two or more houses should be built with partition walls, for these prevent the necessary side ventilation. ”

“ A range of houses should, if possible, be connected at the end which is most exposed to the north and north-east winds by a corridor or covered structure, in which the potting-shed stores and entrance to the boiler hold should be arranged. The greatest care must be taken that no fumes from the heating apparatus can find their way into either the corridor, potting-sheds, or plant-houses, or the plants will suffer the worst consequences. ”

“ The largest-growing and showiest species include Z. Mackayi, Z. crinitum, and other related species. These should be potted in peat, Sphagnum-moss, and loam fibre in equal proportions, with a sprinkling of leaves, and fine broken crocks added. During the growing season occasional waterings with weak, liquid manure should be given; and, after flowering, a rest with restricted water supply. Those that need repotting should be attended to before growth begins, but they will remain satisfactory for years in the same pots if carefully treated. ”

“ The natural earth is the best base for an Orchid house, and open wood-work trellises placed on the natural earth are far preferable to tiled paths, therefore their use is strongly recommended. Beneath the central stage, from end to end, deep tanks with cemented interior should be provided, because rain-water [Pg 10] is essential for watering the plants. To create a good appearance, narrow, ornamental rockeries may be arranged at the edge of the side staging and beneath it, and in any part of the basement available. ”

“ In fertilising small flowers with the pollen of larger species, as in the case of Sophronitis grandiflora with the pollinia of the larger species, the pollen masses may be cut and a portion of it used in crossing the smaller flower. When the flower of a plant has been fertilised, the plant should receive special attention ”

“ Equal in importance to the giving of sufficient water during the growing season is the observance of the dry, resting season, which, in a varying degree, is required by all Orchids, whether they come from hot or cold habitats, and whether they are epiphytal or terrestrial species. ”

“ Great care has to be taken to obtain a reliable quality of paint that will not harm the plants, and to keep the house vacant for as long a time as possible for the gases from the paint to escape. After the plants are returned to the house some ventilation must be maintained day and night for a time. Tar should not be used inside an Orchid house for any purpose. ”

“ Failure at first is the usual record of the amateur taking up Orchid hybridisation, although some few get fairly good success from the commencement, while those who have had a run of bad luck usually conquer in the end if they persevere. A scientific reason for some failures has been given, namely, that an endophytic fungus said to be necessary to the development of the freshly germinated seeds is wanting in the early stages, but may be developed naturally after a time, and a better state of growth result. ”

“ Nothing is more misleading than to pour a little water each day on the surface of the material in which the plant is potted. This is often considered to be careful watering, but it results in a large number of the plants never getting thoroughly moist at the root, while others in a retentive compost, or where the drainage is defective, become soddened. ”