ORCiTiij.s: now to grow tiiem successfully. 35 



])aii in an iipii^bt position, the new growth ^\'ill invaiiably turn 

 downwards and creep over the sides. Some cultivators place these 

 plants in small pans or baskets, making them firm with peat and 

 sphagnum moss, so as to allow them full freedom of gi-owth over 

 th(! sides, and I have no doubt they last longer in a good healthy 

 condition this way than any other, although it lasts for a con- 

 siderable time in health on a block when well attended to. It is 

 sometimes interesting to show visitors a plant growing on wood, 

 and this Cattleya is the one I recommend to be grown for the 

 purpose, but the block should be cut in a green state and of the 

 desired length, lea\'ing the bark for the roots to cling to. The wood 

 of the pear tree, apple tree, or of the dogwood (Comus) is the best; 

 and I i-emember once placing some plants of Oncidium papiHo 

 (the Butterfly Orchid) on a block of dogwood, cut from a growing 

 tree, sufficiently long for one end to be fixed firmly in a flower pot 

 in an upright position, with crocks and sphagnum moss about it. 

 The plants were placed close together on the top part of the block, 

 completely away from the sphagnum, and the moisture from the 

 latter kept the block quite green for a considerable time ; during 

 the first year it made a new layer of bark, and I never saw plants 

 of Oncidium papiho grow better under any conditions, the new 

 bulbs and leaves were so strong, and the roots climbed down the 

 block in great profusion. This plant, however, is best grown in 

 small pans, being more secui'e and gi\Tng much less trouble. 



TREATMENT OF IMPORTED ORCHIDS. 



Imported plants require most careful treatment on their 

 arrival from abroad, as a large number are so severely injui-ed 

 at the commencement, and in many instances killed outriglit. 

 The experienced Orcliid cultivator, however, knows what is 

 rcquu-ed to get them into a strong healthy state of growth, but 

 in the hands of the inexperienced they dv/indle and perish for 

 v/ant of proper treatment. It is sometimes the case that the 

 plants have stood the jomney well, and when unpacked look quite 

 green and fresh, having scarcely lost a leaf. But if these were 

 unpacked and suddenly exposed to strong light and moisture, 

 many, if not all, of the gi-een leaves would probably turn yellow 

 or fall off with but very little waiTiing, and of com*se greatly 

 weaken the plants. Those v.-ho import Oreliids for almost 



