DISEASES OF ORCHIDS. 89 



or rottiug material should be permitted near the roots, either 

 in the shape of sour stagnant moss or soil, or decomposed 

 wood. If the plants get sufficient, but not excessive heat, 

 an abundance of fresh sweet air without draughts or sudden 

 chills, a liberal supply of moisture, and full exposure to the 

 light, with shade from the direct burning rays of the sun, 

 we are fully persuaded that the Spot will never be trouble- 

 some. On the other hand, if any plants are attacked, 

 the material about the roots should be taken away, every 

 particle of decayed or decaying root removed, and the sound 

 portions should be well washed with warm water ; after this 

 they should be re-potted in some good sweet soil, the in- 

 structions already given for the treatment of healthy plants 

 being otherwise followed out. 



In 1860, a gentleman bought of us some plants of 

 Phal(Enopsis, which were the finest grown plants we had seen, 

 and they did beautifully with him for some time, growing 

 very fast — in fact too fast, for they got sappy, and their 

 leaves became spotted, as did also those of some others he 

 had. Some time after we went to see them, and our opinion 

 respecting them was asked. Upon inquiring how they had 

 been treated, we were told that a great deal of water had been 

 given over the leaves, and the roots kept wet ; this was 

 during winter. We called to see them several times during 

 the following spring, and advised that they should be treated 

 as recommended for Phalcenopsis in these pages. These 

 plants have quite outgrown the spot, and are now among the 

 finest round London. 



When at Hoddesdon, we had two Phalanopses which became 

 afiected with spot in the winter. We cut ofi" one of the leaves, 

 and sent it to Dr. Lindley for his opinion as to the cause of 

 the evil. His reply was, that the plants had been kept too 

 moist during the cold dark days of winter — a reply which we 



