CATTLEYA. 53 



turally mixed with sphagnum, but if this cannot 

 be had, a Kttle sphagnum, well chopped with it, 

 will answer the same purpose; the peat should 

 remain in small pieces, and a portion of pot- 

 sherds be mixed with it. When potted, the plant 

 should be about two inches above the rim, in the 

 centre of the pot ; round the outside a little rough 

 peat should be placed and secured down with 

 pegs ; this will keep the other mould together. 



The base of the plant, by no means, should be 

 buried in the mould, for then w^ater often effects a 

 lodgementwhichwilldestroythe plant, particularly 

 the young shoots that are just beginning to grow. 



The best time for potting I have found to be 

 from July to the latter end of August ; they are 

 then beginning to form new roots, from the base 

 of the young shoots : this operation should not be 

 delayed too long for this genus, as their roots are 

 liable to be broken by it, and a great check would 

 thus be given to the'plant ; water must be given but 

 gently at first, increasing as the plant becomes 

 more strongly rooted : and when the plant has 

 nearly completed its growth, the supply of 

 moisture should be reduced by degrees until it 

 arrives at a dormant state, very little water will 

 then be required, as the only object then is to 

 keep the mould from getting too dry. During 

 their flowering season they should be removed 



