VARIEGATED ORCHIDS. 47 



the temperature ranges in winter, by night, from 55 to 60, 

 or a few degrees higher would not do them any harm ; the 

 warmth may rise to 65 by day, and by sun heat to 70 ; 

 during March, April, and May the night temperature may 

 range from 60 to 70, and afterwards a few degrees higher 

 will not be injurious. From March to October is the best 

 time for growth, during which they will require a good supply 

 of moisture at their roots ; in fact, they should never be 

 allowed to get dry, if so, they will most likely perish ; but 

 from October to March only give them sufficient to keep the 

 soil damp. They succeed best under bell-glasses or in a case 

 in small pots, with a little air always on to keep them in a 

 healthy condition. Some will do without glasses, if in a 

 warm house. I grow them in sphagnum, chopped into small 

 pieces, intermixed with a little good fibrous peat and silver 

 sand, all well mixed together. I have found river sand to 

 answer the same purpose. I have grown them in both with 

 good drainage. These plants do not require large pots, as 

 they do not make much root, they therefore succeed well in 

 small pots ; and if bell-glasses are used, plunge the pot into a 

 large one so that the bell-glass fits the outside one. If grown 

 in cases put them in small pots, and arrange them in the case 

 by placing good drainage at the bottom and sphagnum on 

 the top of the drainage, with some sand on the top of the 

 moss to set the pots on ; then arrange the kinds in the case 

 so that the different colours may make a good effect. The 

 pots should be perfectly clean, with good drainage at the 

 bottom, covering with a little moss, and filling up with the 

 material recommended. In placing the roots in the pot, raise 

 the stem a little above the rim ; after that pot once a year, and 

 I have found, at the end of February or the beginning of 

 March, the best time. The glass or case in which they grow 

 should be kept perfectly clean, in order that they may have 

 plenty of light, but not any sun, which is injurious to them. 

 They are propagated by catting the plants into pieces just 



