ORCHIDS FOR THE CONSERVATORY
There are many dwelling-houses of moderate pretensions, especially in towns and suburban districts, in which the sole accommodation for plant-growing consists of the conservatory adjoining the house, and this is, in most cases, heated by one or other of the simple means at command for the purpose. The contents of such structures are usually unsatisfactory, the Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, and other soft-wooded plants which are arranged with some of the hardier Palms and Ferns being drawn into spindly growth, which results in a miserable supply of flowers for a short season, and afterwards in decaying foliage, which is not ornamental. Quite a new interest would open up to the owners of such places were they to turn their attention to acquiring from time to time a few of the Orchids which are now to be procured as cheaply as the less suitable plants, such as Pelargoniums. Already some successes have been recorded in this direction.
Let us consider the different classes of conservatories, and the species most likely to succeed in them.
To take first the commonest kind of small conservatory attached to villa gardens. These are unheated structures except in the winter months, when the temperature cannot be kept from getting below 45° Fahr. without the aid of one of the oil-stove heating apparatus, or heat turned on from the pipe connected with the kitchen range, where arrangements for doing so have been provided. These means of applying artificial heat should be used as little as possible, and only to prevent the temperature falling below 45° Fahr., for in confined spaces and with such means of heating, the atmosphere is better for the plants without the use of artificial heat, whenever the house can be kept from getting too cold without it. In such conservatories, many of the Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, Oncidium varicosum, O. crispum, O. prætextum, O. Gardneri, the pretty scarlet Sophronitis grandiflora, Epidendrum vitellinum, Lycaste Skinneri, Cypripedium insigne, Disa grandiflora, and a number of other pretty and inexpensive species can be grown satisfactorily, especially if the Oncidiums, Sophronitis, Odontoglossum Rossii majus, and other of the smaller species be placed in baskets for suspending, a means of cultivation which suits them best, and adds to their decorative effect.
The next step is the larger conservatory adjoining many town and suburban dwellings. These are heated by a small boiler with hot-water pipes, a means, it should be said, which is the only satisfactory method of heating glass structures. To the species indicated for the smaller and less safely heated structures may be added a very wide range of subjects of great beauty. In such a structure the Palms supplying decorative foliage may be much restricted, or entirely dispensed with, as Cymbidium Lowianum, C. giganteum, C. Tracyanum, and any others of the section having evergreen leaves of much grace, are decorative plants at all seasons, and possess the further advantage of being furnished with fine spikes of flowers for several months in the year. These large and strong-growing species are specially adapted for the conservatory, an Orchid house being unnecessary for them.
To the heated conservatory also may now be handed over the showier species and hybrids of the South American Cypripediums (Selenipediums), which, probably because of their very free-growing nature rendering them too large for the Orchid house, and the ready manner in which they may be increased, have caused them to be slighted lately by growers of collections of Orchids. The air of the conservatory, rather drier than that of the Orchid house, suits these plants admirably. Their bright evergreen foliage and tall sprays of white and rose, or greenish flowers tinged with purple, which often by succession keep the specimens in bloom for six months in the year, render them beautiful and interesting subjects for the conservatory.
The strongest and best kinds to be acquired are Selenipedium longifolium, S. Sedenii, S. cardinale, S. calurum, S. grande, S. Schröderæ, and S. albo-purpureum.
Cypriperium Charlesworthii, C. Spicerianum, and C. Leeanum should also be added. The larger, heated conservatories might well be furnished with the Orchids recommended rather than the plants generally used for decorating them, for these have to be changed frequently. The Orchids, if carefully tended, will grow permanently in the conservatory and be a source of never-failing interest. In these large conservatories, Stanhopeas in baskets for suspending are ornamental plants, and Sobralias on the floor or central bed would prove satisfactory. To those enumerated many more might be added, but in all cases it is best to get only evergreen kinds, which may be grown continuously in the same house.