The prospective orchidist will want to have a general knowledge of the orchid family and a survey of the individual members with whom he may want later to become more closely acquainted. The range of choice is wide, since, as has been said, there are from fifteen to twenty thousand species. This chapter gives a broad and general view of the field in the hope that the reader will be stimulated to further investigation. It is intended neither as a complete list nor as a scientific description, for which Bailey's Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture is readily available. Out of print, but occasionally found are Williams's Orchid Grower's Manual, Dr. Rudolph Schlecter's books on orchids (in German), and Sanders' Orchid Guide. The year 1947 saw the publication of Sanders' Complete List of Orchid Hybrids.

The orchid family varies widely in habitat, ranging throughout the tropics, over the temperate zones of both hemispheres, and even reaching into the fringes of the Arctic. There is a similarly wide variation in type, with several systems of classification.

The first division is into monopodial and sympodial groups, re­ferring to the habit of growth. The monopodial, including the Vanda and Aerides, grow continuously from a central crown, which eventually appears atop a long stem that has frequently lost its lower leaves. Phalaenopsis, although monopodial, is stemless, but yearly grows a pair of leaves from the characteristic crown.

The leaves of monopodial orchids are heavy, leathery, fleshy, and capable of storing some quantity of moisture, but the plants must never be allowed to dry out completely. The leaves of Vanda teres, like pine needles, do not resemble leaves, but are three to four inches long, very slender, round and succulent, and taper to a point.

The sympodial group, of which Cattleya, Laelia, and Coelogyne are notable examples, has a creeping rootstock, with each new growth springing from the base and alongside the last year's growth. The new growth appears as a swelling or 'dormant' eye that at the proper time will 'break' or begin to grow. In some genera, such as Laelia and Coelogyne, the growths will break in several directions, but in Cattleya usually in only one.

The pseudobulb, a characteristic of sympodial orchids, is a res­ervoir for food and moisture against times of drought and dor­mancy. It differs widely according to the different genera. The pseudobulb of Cattleya is longish, smooth, and rounded; while that of Laelia may be slightly flattened, even in some cases assum­ing a many-sided angular form. Certain species have pseudobulbs that resemble small pineapples. The pseudobulbs of Odonto-glossum and Miltonia are much flattened and compressed; those of Coelogyne are very round, short, and prolific; and those of Cymbidium very large, rounded, and stocky. Dendrobium in many species lacks pseudobulbs, but even the long cane-like flower stems, along which the leaves grow in pairs, are capable of storing food and moisture.

Orchids may also be classified as saprophytic, terrestrial, semi-terrestrial, and epiphytic. Here we will not be much concerned with the saprophytes, natives of temperate zones, since they either lack flowers entirely or have small inconspicuous flowers of in­terest only to the botanist. Lacking chlorophyll, the valuable green substance in leaves by means of which is accomplished photosynthesis (the manufacture of carbohydrates, sugars and starches, through the action of the sun or light on carbon dioxide and water), the saprophyte is forced to obtain sustenance from the predigested food of decaying organic matter in the soil. The saprophytes are typified by the Corallorhyza, whose tangled root-stock resembles coral, and the Neottis.

The terrestrial orchids are also found in the temperate zones of both hemispheres. Among them are the tall Sobralia, graceful Cypripediums, Spiranthes, and fairy-flowered Habenaria. Calypso bulbosa (or borealis) is a native of the cold reaches of the Arctic. North America abounds in native orchids, many of which are very common and not generally recognized as orchids. Most showy of these, the Cypripedium or well-known 'lady's slipper,' has a wide range of habitat in the United States and has attractive foliage as well as flowers. However, few of the terrestrial orchids transplant well from their marshy homes, and it is perhaps best to seek them out and enjoy them in their native habitat.

By far the largest, most varied, and most showy of the orchid family are included in the semi-terrestrial and epiphytic groups. These are tropical or subtropical and live on trees in the rain­swept coastal jungles or on bare rocks in the hot sun. Their ele­vation ranges from sea level to two thousand feet above sea level. They abound through parts of Asia, the islands of the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and South and Central America. The Himalayas and the Andes are also congenial to lovely orchids.

The epiphytic orchids are widely and wrongly considered to be parasites because they grow on other plants, notably trees. The plant 'home' is actually used only for support. In addition to the roots that cling to trees, these orchids also have aerial (epiphytic) roots that are sent forth to secure nourishment from the soluble mineral salts in the moisture-laden air and from the humus washed down into the crotches of trees and cracks of rocks. The supply of such nourishment is plentiful in some seasons and scant in others, a fact that no doubt accounts for the five to seven years required for the slow growth from seed to bloom.

In his selection of plants, the grower may arrange his collection to include representatives of all of the above-mentioned divisions and also plan to have plants coming to bloom all through the year. The epiphytic orchids, however, are of paramount interest to the grower, and we shall consider them in some detail in the following paragraphs.

Botanical names of orchids are usually long and confusing and difficult to pronounce, and at first seem to offer a serious obstacle to the further study and understanding of the family. The pro­nunciations suggested in the listings of the various species and hybrids on pages 107-23 are in good usage, but are by no means the only ones permissible.

The Cattleya, favored by the florist and valuable as the parent of large and showy hybrids, is perhaps the orchid best known to the public. There are over forty species of Cattleya. In their na­tive state the plants grow in thick clusters on trees—frequently mahogany or a type of acacia—and are so well protected by giant stinging ants that the only way to harvest them is to cut down the tree.

The Cattleya plant lacks beauty to the uninitiated, being com­posed of longish, rounded pseudobulbs, which advance rhizome-fashion along the surface of the potting mixture, and are topped by one, two, or three long green leaves of firm leathery texture. The average Cattleya 'puts on' or grows one new pseudobulb a year. After several new bulbs have been formed the old ones tend to lose their leaves and roots, becoming backbulbs. These back-bulbs are frequently referred to as poor relations, owing to their habit of sapping the energy of the growing end of the plant. If severed and placed in a warm, moist spot they will usually respond by sending forth new growth and roots to start a new plant.

A tiny swelling or dormant eye will be found at the base of each pseudobulb in a Cattleya plant. In proper time the eye of the youngest bulb begins to swell and break into growth, acquir­ing new leaves and sending out new roots. A new pseudobulb is formed and, in a healthy, well-cared-for plant, each will be finer and larger than the last. In case of injury to the forebulb, one of the dormant eyes of an older bulb will break.

From among the leaves at the top of the new growth the flower sheath will form. Very disconcerting to the beginner is the habit of some species of growing or 'throwing' sheaths at the time the new growth is made up. This means that after the new bulb is completed there is a long period during which the flower sheath remains empty of buds, and the amateur despairs of ever having a flower. Some Cattleyas even have double sheaths, which also disappoint the eager grower. Finally, after repeatedly holding the plant against the light in search of buds, he is rewarded by dis­covering small dark spots at the base of the sheath. At last the flower buds are 'set' or have begun to ripen. Species differ in the length of time required for maturing or flowering.

The Cattleya is among the larger and showier of the species orchids—species meaning 'native' as opposed to 'hybrid.' Coloring ranges through all shades and tints of purple, from amethyst and violet to magenta and deep red. Brown, yellow, and green species are found among the genus. Many of the species have alba varie­ties, whose flowers are pure white with a touch of green or yellow at the throat.

Important among the Cattleyas are the labiata group, those possessed of a fine, large lip, which makes them valuable as the progenitors of commercially desirable hybrids as well as for their own beauty and prodigality. These labiates have some representa­tive blooming, with trustworthy regularity, at every season of the year. The intermediate or 'Cattleya' house satisfactorily serves this group. (For listing and descriptions of species of this genus see pages 1078.)

The genus Laelia, native to Mexico and Brazil, is closely allied to Cattleya, crossing readily with it to form the exquisite Laelio-cattleya hybrids. The plant is very similar in habit and appear­ance; the pseudobulbs are slightly more angular, at times quite square, at others quite flat. It has many aerial roots; the new leads break in more than one direction, giving it an irregular form of growth. Either the intermediate or cooler house serves this family. (Listing and descriptions of species of this genus may be found on page 109.)

The genus Brassavola is related to Laelia and Cattleya, cross­ing harmoniously with them to form the exotic hybrids Brasso-cattleyas and Brassolaeliocattleyas. The plants have small pseudo-bulbs, which are frequently compressed. The flowers, usually white, or greenish-white, are not outstanding except for the very large, fringed lip, a characteristic handed down to the progeny. An intermediate, or even warmer, house will serve. (Listing and descriptions of species of this genus may be found on page 109 f.)

The genus Dendrobium is prolific and diverse, comprising some one hundred species, which vary greatly in size and shape. It con­tains D. violaceoflavens (vie-o-lay-see-o-flay-vens), with sixteen-foot pseudobulbs, and D. Schneideri (sh'ny-der-eye or ee), measured in inches. It ranges from southern Asia, particularly the Sikkhim region, through Ceylon, Malaya, Siam, China, Japan, all the large islands (the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Borneo), and even some of the small islands, to Australia and New Zealand. A single species has been found to adjust itself to entirely different places. Mem­bers of the genus grow on trees, in the ground, and on bare rocks, through great extremes of temperature and elevation. Some have been found as high as 1500 to 2000 feet in Burma at 1200 F.

The Dendrobium plant is unusual in appearance, being sym-podial, epiphytic, and bulbless, but possessed of heavy cane-like stems, which also produce the papery-green leaves. Especially in the deciduous types these canes store sufficient moisture and food to tide the plant over periods of extreme drought.

The genus is divided into deciduous and evergreen, which again divides into warm- and cool-growing plants. All evergreen Den-drobes (the name affectionately given the genus by orchidists) are handsome plants with their leafy, graceful foliage. They have cane-like stems, taking the place of pseudobulbs, and bear the flowers in erect panicles (clusters, as of grapes), singly at the nodes, or in drooping racemes (stems with flowers attached at intervals). Evergreen Dendrobiums may be accommodated in the warm house.

Deciduous Dendrobiums are peculiar-looking plants, becoming dry and shriveled bamboo-like canes each year after the leaves drop off. Amazingly, and lovelier by contrast, the flowers bud and bloom from the nodes (joints) of these dry canes. Deciduous Den-drobes bloom on the old wood, and evergreen Dendrobes on the new growth. They may be accommodated in the warm house and removed to a cooler spot while resting. (Listing and descriptions of warm-growing and evergreen and deciduous species of this genus may be found on pages 110-11.)

The genus Oncidium is a very old one. It ranges from hot coastal regions to the cold of 12,000 feet elevation. It is native to Mexico, Central and tropical South America, and the West Indies. It has short, thick pseudobulbs and slender, graceful leaves. Though the flowers are small compared to the Cattleya, they are a spray-type of considerable grace and charm. The blooms are flat, of silky texture, resembling a dancing girl with wide-spread skirts and tiny waist. The clear bright yellow attained by some of the species is unsurpassed. An intermediate or cool house will serve. (Listing and descriptions of the species of the genus Oncidium may be found on pages 111-12.)

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