. The Book of gardening; a handbook of horticulture. Gardening; Floriculture. ON ORCHIDS. 613 The more robust-growing kinds, or those known as the M. Harryana section, also include such sorts as M. amahilis^ M. chelso7ii, M. Davisii, M. Veitchiana^ and the thick-leaved kinds, such as M. peristeria, M. macriira^ M. ephippiiim, and others of the M. kontoglossa section ; all are suitable for pot culture. M. tovarejtsis (Fig. 395) is a most desirable form, with pure white flowers, which are produced in the dead of winter, and last a long time in perfection. The pots should be clean, and drained to
. The Book of gardening; a handbook of horticulture. Gardening; Floriculture. ON ORCHIDS. 613 The more robust-growing kinds, or those known as the M. Harryana section, also include such sorts as M. amahilis^ M. chelso7ii, M. Davisii, M. Veitchiana^ and the thick-leaved kinds, such as M. peristeria, M. macriira^ M. ephippiiim, and others of the M. kontoglossa section ; all are suitable for pot culture. M. tovarejtsis (Fig. 395) is a most desirable form, with pure white flowers, which are produced in the dead of winter, and last a long time in perfection. The pots should be clean, and drained to three-parts of their depth with clean broken crocks, and the potting compost should consist of two parts of peat to one part of sphagnum. The best time to repot Masdevallias is during the latter part of August and the beginning of September. This being the rooting season, they have ample time, under ordinary circumstances, to become re- established before it is necessary to resort to the use of fire-heat. The plants require a large amount of moisture during the greater part of the year, both at the roots and in the atmosphere. During the winter months it is necessary to reduce the root moisture, but sufficient should be maintained in the atmosphere to keep it in such a condition that the plants do not suffer when fire-heat is being used. There cannot be any hard-and-fast lines in this matter; for the construc- tion of the house, the position in which it is situated, and other points have to be taken into consideration; and these particulars are best observed by those familiar with the conditions under which the plants have to be cultivated. Without doubt, Masdevallias are best accommodated where a house can be devoted to their cul- ture, preferably one with a northern aspect, thus avoiding, to a great degree, the excessive heat of the summer months. They require free ventilation whenever the outside conditions permit, and must also be heavily shaded from the direct rays of the
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