16" TREATMENT OF EPIPHYTAL OECHIDS. 



flueuce of a clamp and warm atmospliere, resists decay loiij^est. 

 It will therefore be found, that very fibry peat, obtained fresh 

 from tlie common, freed from all small particles of peaty mat- 

 ter, is most suitable for the purpose. Tiie latter process may 

 easily be accomplished by beating it when it is dry. The fibre 

 should be left a few days to dry before it is used, and afterwards, 

 when required, it should be mixed with a few half-decayed 

 leaves, which must be quite dry and free from any small pieces 

 of stick that rot and breed fungi in the soil. 



When shifting, or fresh potting, be particular to drain well, 

 especially for tliose grown in pots. If the plant is to be kept in 

 a pot, always place a small inverted pot in the bottom of the 

 other, and fill round the sides and over the inverted pot vmtil 

 the pot is filled with potsherds to within three inches of the 

 rim ; then put in a sufficient portion of the roughest fibre to 

 slightly elevate the plant above the rim, and cover up the roots 

 (if they require so doing) with the fibry mixture, pressing it 

 rather firmly round the stems, but in no other part, more par- 

 ticularly near the outside. 



In shifting, remove all the old soil from the roots, when such 

 can be done without injury, and in all cases allow the plants to 

 become rather dry for a few days prior to the operation, and for 

 a like time afterwards before moisture is applied ; which should 

 be, first to the atmosphere sparingly, and afterwards to the roots 

 or the soil. 



No season can be i-ecommended as the proper one for shifting 

 Orchids, but generally it may be done shortly after the plants 

 have commenced forming young or fresh roots, and which in 

 general will be some time after they have flowered, and just 

 before they commence a fresh growth. All the plants should 

 be shifted at least once every two years ; but when, and the 

 length of time between the shiftings in some cases, will entirely 

 depend upon circumstances. One thing, however, is certain, 

 that whenever the soil becomes in any way sodden, or when the 

 plant has lost its roots from having become over dry, shifting 

 at once is the best remedy. 



Top dressing ;dso is very necessary at times, particularly with 

 very large plants ; but if small ones require anything, remove the 

 soil entirely. 



"With respect to those kinds which require to be grown upon 

 blocks of wood or in baskets, less danger is likely to accrue from 

 a slight excess of moisture, when they are in a growing state, 

 than from a want of it ; therefore sphagnum, or rough fibry peat, 

 should be fastened round the blocks, or placed about the roots in 

 the centre of the baskets, in order to retain sufficient moisture 

 when the atmosphere becomes too dry. 



