New-York tribune., 1908-12-20
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Orchid and Cyclamen Plants IN De
naa4sd as Holiday Gifts.

'aThe fashionable Towering plants for Christmas
gifts arc the cyclamen the azalea and the orchlo'
| said a Fifth avenue florist yesterday.
There an idea that only the rich can ahord
orchids That mistake. A well shaped, thirty
| orchid plant in bloom may be had for about q
| It's blossoms Will last longer than those on sO
| axslea and when they gone the plant viii Dc
in better condition than tho azalea II one wishes
| TO give q plant for something moro than the
| blossoms it at the time Of purchase 1 would
| strongly advise orchid. OF course If the re-
| cipient has up-to-date hothouse the selection
| Is only question of taste But for the owner OF
| a small greenhouse a sunny window the varietles
| Of orchids she grow to advantage are COM
| paratively limited though such a list includes
some the showiest and most beautiful specimens
First ths list is the popular lady slipper which
| does we'll IN a sunny window or q greenhouse Inc
| Coelogyne cristata is rated among orchid growers
as the best white variety, each blossom being four
or 1--WE inches across. II can stand a temperature
| OF 20 desrees and is Of the best and easiest
| grown OF orchids. Good Towering plants OF this
variety costly. and after the blossoms are
| gone a plant be kept IN house window. where
It will thrive and be ready to produce an increased
number Of flowers next The blossoms
have mentioned will last cut or uncut, az least
two weeks. There many other varieties equally
desirable window culture which good
dealer will point out TO purchaser for the asking
Plotting is really the only unique feature IN
orchid culture. from this, orchids should be
treated about other window plants ara The
standard potting materials are peat and moss,
which hold the necessary amount Of moisture for
the proper length OF time Baskets or some other
open receptacles always used, because it Is
necessary admit plenty Of air to the roots Ihat
ia orchid culture IN nutshell, so you can sec
that there is nothing too difficult for the window
gardener.
when we como TO keeping AEalea after the
Christmas blossoms gone it is another matter.
In the first place, the buyer OF aEa!eas insists on
having many blossoms to the square inoh aA can
be had for the money. Few persons will take the
r1ent that has enough green mixed with the cclors
10 make II a thing OF beauty for many months
or course the azalea with many blossoms has
been taxed severely by forcing. and is made almost
worthless for a long time In fact two years some
times elapse before II RECEIVERS.
ITO care for azalea pick the blossoms as
soon as they fade and nip off the most vigorous
OF the new green shoots that appear at the base
of these forced blooms. The plant will look bare
for few weeks, but If it receives regular atten-
ton and enough water before Easter it will be-
gin 70 pick up, will show healthy young leaves
and often q moderate number Of blooms II should
be set into the ground as possible. but II
# is TO remain in the window It should be repot-
ted In fresh and fertile earth and larger pot
used The roots should be carefully examined, all
the dead ones pinched away, and enough Of the
ball of earth scratched out to allow the new
earth 20 come in contact with the roots.
1.-The cycIauen, to me. comes first as nora
Gift for Christmas because 1t is native Of the
Holy Land In cooring IT is as varied and beau
tiful as either of the two plants have men
toned while II is easily grown that the poorest
fiat dveIler may have plant in his window. All
| ba needs is a pot of good earth and pinch OF
| inexpensive seed, supplemented by the care given
the ordinary red geraniun A well developed
| cvc1amen may be had at this season OF the year
| from almost any florist and in wide range OF
! colors from 81 50 upward.