Observations on some of the orchits

Here are a few personal observations on some of the orchids I have grown in my greenhouse.

CALANTHE

Winter-flowering Calanthe can be potted in a soil mixture of equal parts of loam, leaf mold, and sand, and grown in semi-shade in a 65-degree house. When, in the fall, the leaves turn yellow and drop, it is time to rest the pseudo bulbs. Flowers, small and borne on long stems, are white or rose, sometimes blotched with crimson or yellow.

CATTLEYA

Cattleya is the largest orchid grown by professional florists. It is the one most people think of as an orchid. The cattleyas have large showy blooms of white, rose, yellow, and purple. Grow them at 60 to 80 degrees. Propagate by separating the back bulbs and placing them in a shaded pot until growth starts.

Some of the most popular florist varieties are Cattleya alba, pure white; C. caerulea, pale violet-blue; and the white or yellow C. Wageneri.

CYMBIDIUM

Cymbidiums keep the longest of any cut flower. No wonder they are so popular for corsages. They may be epiphytes or terrestrialswith flowers of white, green, red, or brown. Grow them in a medium of equal parts of loam, leaf mold, and shredded bark or osmunda fiber. Many species of these orchids need temperatures lower than 60 degrees F. for bud-setting.

CYPRIPEDIUMS

These, called cyps or lady slippers, are favorites for window garden or greenhouse. You can grow them in a cool or intermediate house (55 to 60 degrees). They come in many colors. The pouchy flowers of some of the green and brown ones have a varnished look. Cypripediums do well in a soil mixture of 2 parts peat moss, 1 part sphagnum moss, part loam and part crushed pot chips, and in a light position, near the top of the greenhouse.

Place at least 1/3 drainage material in each pot; insert some of the potting mixturethen be relatively firm about potting. Be

The common heart-leaf philodendron always sells, but if you are seeking other possibilities for profit, grow also some with exotic foliage. These seven are a mere sampling of the many different leaf forms, textures and patterns. If you carry a selection, your greenhouse should become a mecca for philodendron fanciers. The pictured varieties, from left to right across the top, then the bottom are: philodendron elegans, squamifereum, penduraeforme, sodiroi, verrucosum, gloriosum, and barryi (Photographs by A. B. Graf)

careful, too, not to over water, at least until roots have taken hold. Propagation is generally through division.

Cypripedium viridissimum has yellow-green flowers; C. Maudiae is a cool green; C. aurobe is brown and yellow, alladin is pink. Green and white C. Sanderae and C. giganteum are favorites with professional florists.

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