70 EPIDENDRUM. 



it, which will keep the mould from becoming too 

 solid, and likewise the plants will root more freely 

 among them, as they retain and emit moisture 

 much longer, and in a gradual manner, without 

 allowing the water to become stagnant about their 

 roots, which is often the case if there is not a proper 

 drainage given to them. When potted, the plant 

 should be about two inches above the rim of the 

 pot ; in this case the mould will require some small 

 pieces of turfy peat placed round on the outside, 

 and secured down by the means of small pegs, as 

 I have directed before. No water will be re- 

 quired until their young shoots have made a pro- 

 gress of two or three inches ; the moisture of the 

 house wdll be sufficient to excite the plant into 

 action ; but if the mould show the least signs of 

 becoming dry, a slight sprinkling with a fine rose 

 waterpot will be sufficient for the first week or 

 two, afterwards increasing the quantity as the 

 plant gets more strongly established with roots. 

 During their growth I give them a gentle 

 syringing two or three times a week, if the days 

 are hot and drying ; the best and most proper 

 time is towards night : it is then they receive 

 most moisture in their natural state. The time I 

 prefer for potting is the commencement of the 

 growing season. The pseudo-bulbous tribe may 

 be grown on logs of wood covered with sphagnum, 

 or in baskets prepared in the manner I have before 



