90 ORCHID- GEO WER's MANUAL. 



have never since lost sight of. He was quite right, for it was 

 a sharp winter, and these two plants had been kept wet by 

 placing the bottom of the block on which they grew in a 

 pan of water to keep off the cockroaches. In that way, too 

 much moisture crept up to the roots, and, being in the winter 

 time, this doubtless caused the leaves to become spotted. 

 However, by following the treatment here recommended in 

 the remarks on Phalanojms, the plant soon recovered ; but if 

 a rigorous change had not been adopted in time, the disease 

 would have gone too far, and probably killed the plants. 



Much injury is done to epiphytal Orchids by keeping the 

 plants too wet at the roots in dull weather ; in fact, too much 

 moisture in that way is injurious at any time, especially to 

 those species that grow on branches of trees, when they 

 come to be confined in pots and baskets. Our practice is, to 

 give but little water at the roots during winter, and not so 

 much as many people in summer, because we have seen the 

 ill effects of it. The treatment we recommended some years 

 ago we still follow, and with uniform success. 



Some Orchid growers give more heat and moisture than 

 is here recommended, and their plants have done well for a 

 time ; but under such exciting management they are apt to 

 become spotted, and get permanently into a bad state of 

 health — in short, the least chill, after growing in so high a 

 temperature, is liable to induce disease. The great secret 

 in the cultivation of these as well as of all other plants, is to 

 provide a proper house, without drip ; to supply sufficient 

 ventilation, heat, and moisture ; and to ensure the total 

 banishment of insects detrimental to vegetable life. The 

 temperature throughout the year should be kept in accordance 

 with the directions laid down in these pages, which are the 

 result of long experience and close observation. 



