30 orchids: how to grow them successfully. 



commence with and have not sufficient room to grow. What I mean 

 is, that the old pseudo bulbs should be placed close together, filling 

 in between them with compost to the base, allowing a margin 

 between the leading pseudo bulbs and the rim of the pot sufficient 

 for the development of the next two years' growth ; that is, two 

 new bulbs before the side is reached. These should also be made 

 firm in their pots by the use of small sticks. 



CYPEIPEDIUMS. 



These plants very soon recover from any disturbance of the 

 roots, and are very free growing. They require a compost with a 

 little more body in it, and of a richer nature than that previously 

 recommended for Odontoglossums ; it should consist of equal parts 

 lumpy peat, not of such a fibrous natm-e as for Cattleyas, adding 

 sphagnum and a fom-tli part of fibrous loam broken into small 

 pieces ; also another fourth of half -rotted leaf-mould with the finer 

 portions sifted out of it. This, with a liberal addition of coarse 

 silver or river sand, should be well mixed together. The pots 

 should be crocked, as recommended for Cattleyas, with a thin layer 

 of sphagnum over the drainage. All the old soil, «&;c., must be 

 removed from the roots, the plants held in position and filled in 

 between the roots, as before advised, taking care not to injure the 

 roots, or packing too hard or too loosely ; it is advisable to have 

 the plant just above the rim of the pot. Cypripediums grow rather 

 luxuriantly, and should therefore have reasonably large pots in 

 proportion to the size of the plants and the quantity of roots. 



DENDEOBIUMS. 



These must be potted in the very best fibrous peat and sphag- 

 num, in equal proportions, preparing both as recommended for 

 Cattleyas, and the pots should be thoroughly drained in the same 

 way. As a rule, Dendrobiums do far better in small pots than 

 large ones ; in fact, some kinds are most sensitive in this respect, a 

 large mass of material about the roots being most distasteful to 

 them. Many of the Dendrobiums really thrive better when 

 i:)lanted in teakwood baskets or earthen pans and suspended from 

 the roof ; still there are some kinds which it is necessary to grow 

 in pots, because of the great length of their pseudo bulbs. Fig. 12 

 {see page 69) illustrates the method of growing them in baskets or 



