Evening star., 1948-01-25
By w. H. Younqmon

Until recently, orchid culture has
been for the highly specialized
grower or the wealthy lobbyist. This
is no longer true. The home gar
dener can meet the plants require
ments.
Briefly, these requirements are: A
moist atmosphere, careful watering,
a sufficiently low temperature, and,
when needed, shade. Earlier, it was
mistakingly believed that, being
from the tropics, orchids had to have
hothouses with high temperatures.
Some kinds demand q night tenn
perature of less than so, few will
thrive at IS to 10. The Cattleyas,
so popular In the florist trade, do
best with q night temperature from
55 to 60. Thus, orchids do not re-
quire hot place in which to grow,
but they do require q moist atmos-
phere. Most modern homes, espe-
cially in the winter, are too dry.
Controlling Humidity.
Room atmosphere humidity can
be controlled in several ways, BEN
eficial as well to the Inhabitants.
David Lunnsden, the late secretary
of the American Orchid Society,
stated that a copper tray PLACED on
a radiator would give OF enough
moisture to protect an orchid plant.
The tray is filled with gravel and
an inch or so of water maintained
at all times. The potted orchid
plant is placed on top Of the gravel.
While an open room is somewhat
difficult in which to handle an
orchid plant, we will find 1t worth
while for the experience gained. The
next step Is the Wardian Casa
glass box of ample size, which may
or may not have q tight bottom.
Most of the Wardian cases have .
tight bottom and water Is kept in 1t
at all times, although the potted
orchids rest on the gravel and above
the water.
A better type case has the bottom
covered with wire on which the pots
rest The whole case, however, rests
on top Of tray filled with gravel.
coke or similar material to facili-
tate evaporation. Air circulation Is
controlled by the raising and lower
ing of the top of the case, something
which is difficult to regulate with q
glass s-bottomed Wardian case. Most
Wardian cases are constructed to
handle six or eight potted orchids,
sufficient to provide several months
of bloom If the plants are selected
with care.
Large Type of Greenhouses.
+. When the Wardian case gets too
small for the orchid fan the next
step is small greenhouse-lean-to,
attached or detached, where he can
grow a greater variety. Several at
tractive types and species are too
large for the Wardian case.
Some writer's claim that more
losses are sustained from over
watering than from any other sin
gle cause. This is especially true
of the epiphytes-air plants that,
in nature, cling to trees, rocks, etc.
They gather their moisture from
the air. The material In which they
are set (Osmunda fiber, spaghnum
moss, etc. should not be allowed
to dry out between each watering.
The leaves above should be syringed
EACH day to provide the necessary
moisture. II the room is dry, the
leaves may need to be syringed
twice a day, but in Wardian case
or greenhouse once a day may be
adequate. On dark days less syring-
ing is needed than on a bright day,
and for some kinds, such as the
zygopetalunl,s the foliage should be
dry at night.
Ordinary tap water is not always
safe to use on orchids and many
fans" save rainwater for this pur-
pose. It should be warmed to room
temperature before use.
Control Of Sunlight.
Sunlight is the fourth point under
cultural requirements. Direct sun
light, even in winter, may be too
strong for an orchid plant, although
we are more likely to find summer
shade the more serious problem. An
east window is probably the most
satisfactory, whereas the sun may
need to be tempered with net cur
tain in q southern window. West
and north windows are not likely to