THE SINGLE ORCHID HOUSE
It is doubtful whether the owner of a large collection of Orchids gets a greater amount of pleasure than the beginner starting with but one Orchid house, provided the owner of the single structure is careful in selecting his plants.
In cases where only one Orchid house is possible, and a more or less general collection of plants is desired, that house should be heated as an intermediate house. The single Orchid house has often been the starting-point of more extensive culture. It is generally commenced by utilising an existing plant-house, in some cases, unfortunately, without making the necessary preparation for the new occupants.
When it has been decided to adapt a house for Orchids, the proper course is to clear the house of its contents, thoroughly overhaul the interior fittings, such as staging, &c., and make any alterations necessary. The heating apparatus should be regulated, and, above all, the best possible provision must be made for catching and storing rain-water, even if this necessitates the providing of a brick and cement tank beneath the staging.
If the existing floor in the house is of concrete or tiles, or any similar material, it must be removed, leaving the natural earth for the surface of the basement, and providing a wood-trellis for walking on in spaces between the stages. Let the house be thoroughly cleansed and painted, and after a short time has elapsed it will be ready to receive the plants.
In such a house heated as a cool, intermediate house, with a minimum temperature of 50° to 60° Fahr. in winter, a large number of showy Orchids can be grown successfully. Those species which require great heat should be carefully avoided, for, although cool-house Orchids are easily managed in a house warmer than is necessary for them, the hot-house kinds usually fail in a temperature which is too low to allow of their making growth under favourable conditions. In such an intermediate house the Odontoglossums, Masdevallias and other favourite cool-house Orchids can be grown successfully, if arranged in the cooler part of the house and carefully watered. The Cattleyas, Lælias, and the garden hybrids should be placed on the staging in the middle of the house, well up to the light; the Brazilian Oncidiums, Sophronitis grandiflora, and Stanhopeas should be suspended from the roof of the house, but in such positions as will avoid placing them over the plants on the side staging. The Odontoglossums and Cochliodas may be accommodated on the side staging in the cooler and moister part of the house. In such a house all the varieties of Cypripedium insigne, C. Spicerianum, C. Charlesworthii, and all the green-leafed section known as Selenipediums, will thrive admirably, and a very large selection of other showy Orchids, including Zygopetalums; but again I would say that species which are usually regarded as warm-house Orchids must be rejected.