56 ORCHID -GEO WER's MANUAIi. 



SPOT IN ORCHIDS. 



HIS disease is the dread of many Orchid growers, and 

 there is no denying that when it attacks plants it 

 soon disfigures them. Some assert that it is in- 

 fectious, but in this I am a total unbeliever. Indeed, I would 

 have no hesitation in placing a plant infected with spot 

 amongst a quantity of healthy ones, and should any of 

 these become diseased, I should feel certain it was induced 

 by a wrong course of treatment in some respect, and that no 

 blame could be laid to the charge of a neighbouring plant. 

 A great deal has been said and written respecting this disease, 

 which I have seen in various places, and in other plants as 

 well as in Orchids. I have not experienced much of it 

 myself, and have in most cases found that the plants out- 

 grow it. 



To prevent the disease making its appearance, no rotten or 

 rotting material should be permitted near the roots, either 

 in the shape of sour stagnant moss, or soil, or decomposed 

 wood. If the plants get sufficient, but not excessive heat, an 

 abundance of fresh, sweet air, without draughts or sudden 

 chills, a liberal supply of moisture, and full exposure to the 

 light, with shade from the direct burning rays of the sun, I 

 am fully persuaded that the " spot " will never be troublesome. 

 On the other hand, if any plants are attacked, they should be 

 immediately taken out of the material, and every particle of 

 decaying or decayed root removed, and the whole that remains 

 sound should be well washed with warm water ; after this 

 they should be re-potted in some good sweet soil, the 

 instructions given above for the treatment of healthy 

 plants being otherwise followed out. 



