SPOT IN ORCHIDS. 



57 



moisture crept up to the roots, and, being in the winter time, 

 this doubtless caused the leaves to become spotted. However, 

 by following the treatment here recommended in my remarks 

 on Phahsnopsis, the plant soon recovered ; but if a rigorous 

 change had not been adopted in time, the disease would have 

 gone too far, and probably killed the plants. 



Much injury is done to epiphytal Orchids by keeping the 

 plants too wet at the roots in dull weather ; in fact, too much 

 moisture in that way is injurious at any time, especially to 

 those species that grow on branches of trees, when they come 

 to be confined in pots and baskets with a mass of wet material 

 about them, which is unnatural. My practice is, to give but 

 little water at the roots during winter, and not so much as 

 many people in summer, because I have seen the ill effects 

 of it. The treatment I recommended some years ago I still 

 follow, and with uniform success. 



Some Orchid growers give more heat and moisture than is 

 here recommended, and their plants have done well for a time ; 

 but under such exciting management they are apt to become 

 spotted, and get into a permanently bad state of health ; in 

 short, the least chill, after growing in so high a temperature, 

 is liable to induce disease. The great secret in the cultivation 

 of these as well as of all other plants, is a proper house, 

 without drip ; sufficient ventilation, heat, and moisture ; and 

 the total banishment of all insects detrimental to vegetable 

 life. The temperature throughout the whole year should be 

 kept as nearly as possible in accordance with the directions 

 laid down in these pages, which are the result of long 

 experience and close observation. 



D 3 



