TREATMENT OF NEWLY-IMPORTED PLANTS. 31 



has been some change in the temperature, or in watering 

 the plants, or perhaps insects have been working mischief. 

 There are so many reasons for failure that it is difficult to 

 tell which may apply in each individual case. 



TEEATMENT OF NEWLY-IMPORTED PLANTS. 



HEN unpacked these should have every leaf and 

 bulb sponged over, and all the decayed parts re- 

 moved — not torn off, but cut clean off with a sharp 

 knife. There are many insects that harbour about Orchids, 

 such as the cockroach, and different kinds of scale, all of which 

 are great pests. When cleaned they should be laid on dry 

 moss and placed in some part of the Orchid house, where 

 they are shaded from the sun. Water must be given very 

 sparingly at first, as it is liable to rot them ; too much of 

 either light, heat, or moisture is at first very injurious. If 

 they are put in moss or peat it should be gradually moistened, 

 and when they begin to grow and make roots, they should be 

 potted, or put on blocks or in baskets, but care should be 

 taken not to have the pots too large, over-potting being 

 dangerous. 



We find it a still better plan to fill the pots nearly full of 

 broken potsherds and charcoal, and to place the plants on the 

 top of this until they begin to grow and make fresh roots. 

 We have treated them in this way now for some years, and 

 find the plants start much better, and they can be supplied 

 with more moisture without fear of rotting them. By having 

 recourse to this method they plump up much sooner, and 

 break more freely, and the water passes away without becoming- 

 stagnant. After the plants have well started a little rough 



