ROT AND SPOT IN ORCHIDS. . 25 



that is infested with it, we take care to clean it well before 

 placing it in the stove or Orchid-house. 



Rot in Orchids. 



Orchids are subject to disease in their leaves and bulbs, 

 especially during the damp months of winter. The rot, 

 which is apt to assail the thick, fleshy bulbs, is caused by 

 too much moisture in the house ; when the heat is low, 

 sometimes the drip from the glass will fall on the crowns 

 of the pseudo-bulbs, and they soon rot. Steam is also very 

 bad in a house during the winter, particularly to such plants 

 as Cattleyas, Peristerias, Odontoglossums, - and any other 

 Orchids that have fleshy bulbs. When rot attacks the bulbs 

 it should be seen to at once, and may be easily stopped by 

 cutting the diseased part entirely away with a sharp knife. 

 No portion of the diseased or decayed bulb should be left ; 

 the wound should then be filled up with sulphur, keeping it 

 dry. When the leaves begin to rot, the diseased part should 

 be cut clean away, and a little sulphur rubbed on the part 

 that is cut, but not in such a manner as to let the sulphur 

 get to the roots of the plants. 



When any part of the fleshy pseudo-bulb of the above- 

 named or similarly-formed bulbs becomes discoloured, and 

 the dark or discoloured part appears moist or wet, especially 

 if any fluid exudes from it on pressure, the wet or discoloured 

 part should be immediately cut out, or there is danger that 

 the bulb will be destroyed, as the rot is often much more 

 extensive within the bulb than the discoloured appearances 

 on the outside would seem to indicate. The plant should 

 also be removed to a drier and cooler place, and water given 

 with the utmost care, 



Spot in Orchids. 



A great deal has been said and written respecting this 

 disease which I have seen in several places, and in other 



