414 ORCHIDS. 
at any time. The same applies to watering at the root: 
copious supplies are needed when the plants are growing, and 
although great care is necessary when they are inactive, the 
moss in which they are planted must never be allowed to 
get quite dry. Watering overhead should be especially 
avoided in winter and on dull days. To guard against spot, a 
constant supply of fresh air is needed, but to prevent chills 
it should either be admitted at a distance from the plants, or 
be made to pass over hot-water pipes where evaporating pans 
are placed. Pots and baskets, cylinders and rafts, are used 
to grow Phaleznopses in. If the plants are to be suspended— 
a position in which the flowers are most effective—baskets or 
large rafts of teak are best; whilst if a stage is selected, long 
cylinders are much to be preferred. From the success we 
have seen attained by the latter method, we should recom- 
mend its adoption. In whatever position they are grown, a 
free and ample drainage is of the utmost importance. The 
material in which they are planted should consist of a thin 
layer of clean, live sphagnum placed upon a good layer of 
potsherds and lumps of charcoal. 
Although in some instances, where particular require- 
ments appear to be exactly met, Phalzenopses grow as freely 
as Cypripediums do, such is not by any means always the 
case. It often happens that, through differences in mois- 
ture, ventilation, &c., they succeed in the same house much 
more satisfactorily in one part than they do in another. 
P. amabilis and P. Stuartiana are the best species for an 
amateur to commence with: they are probably the easiest to 
grow, and are fully as beautiful as any others. In spring, 
about April or May, the plants should be examined at the 
root, and all dead and decaying matter brushed or washed 
away. This may be done without disturbing the living 
roots, which cling to the teak and cannot be removed without 
risk. We have often taken away all the drainage and 
