PACKING ORCHIDS FOR CONVEYANCE TO EXHIBITIONS. 45 



delicate -white flowers soon getting injured and discoloured 

 if allowed to rub against each other ; to avoid this, put a 

 stick carefully to each spike. 



Cattleyas require to be packed very carefully ; their flowers 

 should be tied so that they do not touch one another. The 

 best method is to put a stick to each flowering bulb, tying it 

 firmly, and a stick to each flower stalk, just below the flower, 

 with a piece of wadding round the stalk ; afterwards tie the 

 stalks to the stick; neither the stick nor the leaves should be 

 allowed to touch the flowers, or they will become bruised. 



Oncidiums travel well ; they only require a strong stick to 

 each flower spike, with a piece of wadding round the stick at 

 the points where the ties come. 



Sobralia macrantha is a bad plant to travel if not properly 

 tied. There should be a strong stick to each flowering 

 growth, which must be tied firmly ; and also one to the flower 

 stalk, with a piece of wadding close to the flower ; then tie 

 the stalk firmly to the stick, and allow nothing to rub against 

 the flowers. 



Peristeria elata should be treated in the same way as 

 above recommended for Phajus. 



Cypripediiims require a small stick to each flower stalk. 

 All the Lycastes, and other Orchids that flower in the same 

 way, require similar support for their individual flowers, 

 which, if kept separate, will travel safely without more 

 trouble. All Orchids if going a long distance should have 

 fine paper over the flowers, as the dust often spoils the deli- 

 cate bloom, also to protect them from cold. 



The best means of conveyance for Orchids is decidedly a 

 spring van with a cover on the top. In placing the plants in 

 the van, I always put some hay between each pot, to keep 

 them firm and prevent their rubbing against each other ; 

 this, moreover, helps to retain the heat in the pots, and also 



