136 THE FLOKAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



different kinds of Epiphytes is in good, rough fibrous peat, and 

 sphagnum moss ; after this, a layer of moss is applied, then fill up 

 with peat. This should be broken into lumps about the size of a 

 hen's egg ; I always use broken potsherds or charcoal mixed with 

 the peat. The plants should be elevated above the rim of the pot 

 two or three inches, taking care to have all the pseudo-bulbs above 

 the soil ; then put some peat on the top of the roots so as to cover 

 them, employing a few small pegs to keep the soil firmly on the pot. 



After the plants are potted, I fix a stick in the centre of the 

 plant, to keep it firm. In shifting, I carefully shake off all the old 

 soil I can without injuring the roots. Be careful not to give too 

 much water at first ; but after the plants begin to make more root, 

 they may have a good supply. The best material for those in 

 baskets is sphagnum moss and broken potsherds. The basket 

 should suit the size of the plant ; but do not have it too large, for 

 it will not last more than two or three years, at which time, pro- 

 bably, the plant will require shifting into a larger one. There 

 should be placed a layer of moss at the bottom of the basket, then 

 a few potsherds, then fill up with moss and potsherds mixed. Take 

 the plants carefully out of the old basket, without breaking the 

 roots, shake off all old moss, place the plant on the new material, 

 about level with the top of the basket ; put a stick in the centre, to 

 keep it firm, and finish by giving a gentle watering. Those plants 

 that require wood to grow upon should have moss attached to the 

 blocks, if by experience they are found to require it ; some, how- 

 ever, do better on bare blocks ; but then they need more moisture, 

 as they are then entirely dependent on what is obtained from the 

 atmosphere. In fastening them firmly on the blocks, have some 

 copper nails, and drive them into the block, then with copper wire 

 secure the plants firmly in the wood. As soon as they make fresh 

 roots they will cling to the block, and the wire may be taken away. 



Terrestrial orchids require a stronger compost than the epiphytal 

 kinds. They should be potted just when they begin to grow, after 

 the resting season ; they do not need so much drainage as Epiphytes. 

 The compost I use for them is turfy loam, chopped into pieces about 

 the size of a walnut, leaf-mould, and a little rotten cow-dung ; these 

 are all mixed well together. The plants require a good-sized pot. 

 Put about two inches of drainage at the bottom, on that a layer of 

 moss, then some of the rough peat, and finish with the compost 

 above-mentioned. Place the plant one inch below the rim of the 

 pot, water sparingly at first, but when the plants are about six 

 inches high they may have a good supply. 



