Exquisite Blooms

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Exquisite Blooms

Orchids for Amateurs QIICHIDS have a fascination for everyone and there is 110 reason why anyone with a glasshouse should not grow some of the simpler kinds, of which there are many, but the most popular of all for amateur growers are the cypripediuins, or Lady's Slipper. These are quite easy to manage as they do not require much warmth and tho plants will last in bloom for weeks on end. Anyone wishing to start orchid growing could not do better than obtain a small collection of the green leaved cypripediuins derived from C. insigne. A temperature of 50 to 55 decree will suit most of them, while some of the commoner sorts will flourish in even much lower temperatures. A mixture of two parts turfy loam with the finer particles sifted out, one part of peat fibro and sphagnun moss will provide tho right compost. As cypripediums in a wild state grow on the ground and are what are known as terrestrial orchids, they have no pseudo bulbs to conserve the moisture during dry periods, so their roots should never be allowed to become dry. Nearly all beginners, however, make the mistake of giving these orchids too much water. One of the details to remember is that when potting, sufficient crocks should be put in so that the pots are one-third full for drainage; keep the base of tho plant on a level with the top of the compost, or only slightly beneath, and pot firmly. The best known of all tho cypripediums is C. insigne, but there are now many variations from tho type, among tho best being Harefield Hall and Sanderae. Both of these varieties have been propagated in large numbers, and these are the varieties usually seen at the florists in autumn and early winter. A long time ago. when the hybrids of cypripediums were little known, large numbers of insigne were imported, and among theso an astonishing variety appeared that had emerald ereen and white flowers, This was named Lawrencoanum Hyeanum. Another similar to this in appearance is callosum, an albino form of which appeared in an importation about tho same time as Lawrenceanui\i, and was named Callosum Sanderae.