Arizona republican., 1908-11-04

The notion thai orchids are only possi
bic TO the very rich has no foundation
although It is very prevalent. At leasl
30 Of the most desirable orchids can be
grown with no more trouble than the
average run OF greenhouse plants.
The name orchid gives the idea Of such
a very delicate plant that most people are
afraid~to attempt raising them in a win
dow garden. There are plelty Of little
greenhouses in England where the orchid
Is grown beside the geranIum. The chi
ture of the orchid Is not more difficult
than that Of many other plants except In
one particular. This is In the potting OF
the plant.
There is great multiplicity Of recep
tacles. haskets. RATS. cylinders and a
dozen othe- contrivances that are put on
the market for tire purpose. The beginner
need only remember one thing that may
seem peculiar Mt FIRST, Most OF the cult
waited orchids are air plants. taking their
food from the air irfiead OF the earth.
So in the pott,ng CT orchids no soil Is
used. but instead the substance that takes
its place must ba OF such nature as TO
admit air TO the roots at all times. The
standard pottins mixture Is made Of peat
and moss. which hold the necessary moist
ure without closing out the air. Baskets
. OF wire are the best receptacles. because
they admit the air and are more orna
mental than the regular pots.
In potting an orchid the first thing to
do IS to provide for the drainage. More
drainage is needed than for any other
acf txvN fr1c IF ha
basket should he filled with the drainage
material. Charcoal is the most satisfac
tory for this purpose. aud plenty Of Tough
broken pieces should Ice scattered through
the moss and peat. q
The spaghum moss Is the best for pot
ting. the coarse leaved varieties being
better thnn tbe narrow leaved. and live
moss rather than dead. Both this and
the peat can be gotten directly from the
swamps or else from an orchid dealer.
Leaf mold is sometimes used for the pot
ting.
Firm potting is very important TO the
life OF the plant. II the orchid swings
about IL is sure to perish. The illlng
should he nodded up so that the crown
Of the plant is q little higher than the
level Of the pot or basket. Take care
not TO disturb the roots when reporting
Better break the pots or cut the wire
basket.
II Is not essential TO know thousand
and one things nbout the flower before
attempting to raise 1t. However, there
are three things that must be known
first. whether II Is terrestrial or eplphytal.
because the manner of potting depends
upon This; secondly. does II belong to the
hot. the cool or the intermediate part Of
the greenhouse cnlture. and. lastly. when
It will bloom. because this conditions Its
resting period 8
This information Csih always he Cleaned
from the dealer from whom the nlant is
bought The orchid plant needs plenty
OF light. cir and q sufficient quantity of
water. but. Of course. much OF this knowl-
edge is gained by experience.
Orchids are, of course. little more ex-
pensiye than the ordinary run OF window
plants. but maay OF the most beautiful
varieties are not nj all rostly. Some cost
less .tnan 81. hut the better kind costs
from 50 to s.. according TO the species.
The hest orchids for nome growing are
the Ca:fIeya Traneae. the largest winter
flower: the -Cattleya Aassise. the largest
spring lower; Cattleta Gigas, the largest