the sun. These usually do best when placed so that they can get the early morn- 
ing sun, but are shaded from about 10 a.m. onwards in the Summer time. In 
the Winter they can usually stand the sun’s rays up to 11.30 a.m. 
D.3. Those that like plenty of light but not direct sun’s rays, except in the early 
morning. 
D.4. Those that prefer shaded (not dark) conditions. 
(E). POTTING AND COMPOST. 
The most essential feature of the satisfactory culture of Dendrobiums (as with all 
orchids, indeed) is firmness of potting whether the container be pot, pan, basket, 
raft or block. A little thought will show the reason for this. A plant which is 
loosely set in its pot will wobble or shake about whenever the pot is moved or 
touched, or when a vagrant breeze stirs its leaves. Each such movement of the 
plant imposes a strain upon its roots; and if these strains are frequent, the roots 
become sickly and unable to carry out their natural functions of (1) Securing 
the plant. (2) Assimilating the necessary life-giving food. Therefore the plant 
sickens and dies, and another loss must be recorded upon the Profit and Loss 
Account of its grower’s venture into orchid culture. When potting (and this 
term includes any form of planting an orchid) it is therefore a profitable insur- 
ance to see that your plant is firmly fixed in its container and compost. 
Drainage is another important factor. During the growing period Dendrobiums 
require the application of copious supplies of water. As the application is made 
the orchid roots absorb the maximum amount of water they require, and the pot- 
ting compost also takes in its maximum absorption quantity. To enable both 
these media to obtain a sufficiency, a surplus amount of liquid must be applied. 
If this surplus cannot find a ready exit from the container it will be trapped, and 
by the chemical action of the air will set up a fermentation and sourness in the 
compost that will, in most cases, cause the plant roots to become diseased. The 
best way to obtain a perfect drainage system in a pot or pan, is to place the drain- 
age crocks on edge, thus allowing a free exit of all excess water as it comes through 
the compost. The addition of pieces of wood-charcoal, broken brick, etc., in the 
compost will help to keep the drainage free and the compost sweet. 
The most satisfactory way of cultivating this genus varies with the nature of the 
species. Some plants (particularly the strong, erect, stemmed type of Dendrobe) 
do best in earthenware pots. Others are better set in wooden baskets. A further 
section can be grown in shallow pans, a fourth thrives on a raft, and others again 
when fastened to blocks of hardwood, palm trees or tree fern. These will be 
shown in the table as follows:— 
Pots Evi Rafts E.4. 
Baskets E.2. Blocks E.5. 
Pans E.3. 
POTTING E.1. 
When potting Dendrobiums first see that all diseased and perished stems are 
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