POTTING. 73 



Let the pot be proportioned to the size of the plant; 

 over-potting is injurious. 



Some plants will require changing once a year ; others 

 once in two or three years. But if a plant becomes sickly 

 and sodden with wet, the best way to bring it into a 

 healthy state is to turn it out of the pot, wash the roots, 

 cut off any which are dead or decayed : after repotting 

 give but little water until the plant throws out fresh roots. 



The best pots for Orchids are made of common clay ; 

 those with holes cut in the sides are very useful. 



In potting large plants a small pot should be turned 

 upside down on the bottom of the large one, the pot 

 should then be filled with potsherds or bits of charcoal ; 

 about two inches square is the size for large plants, but 

 somewhat smaller if the plants are small. Fill to within 

 two inches of the rim, then put on a layer of moss (the 

 white sphagnous moss of meadows is the best), to prevent 

 the soil from choking the drainage, and to allow the 

 water to pass off quickly. This is of great importance, 

 for if it is not attended to, the water will become stagnant, 

 the soil sour and sodden, which is fatal to the growth of 

 the plant. 



The great point to be observed in the potting of Or- 

 chids is to secure good drainage ; without it, it is impos~ 

 sible to keep the plants in a healthy condition. 



The best material for potting epiphytes is good, rough, 

 fibrous peat and sphagnous moss ; the peat should be 

 broken into lumps about the size of a hen's egg ; pot- 

 sherds and charcoal should be mixed with the peat. The 

 plant should be placed one or two inches above the rim 

 of the pot ; all pseudo-bulbs should be above the soil. 

 A little peat should be put above the roots to cover them, 



