124 ORCHID -GEO WER's MANUAL. 



to 60° (a few degrees higher would not do them any harm), 

 while 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, for then they will most likely perish ; but from 

 October to March they should only have sufficient water to 

 keep the soil damp. They succeed best under bell-glasses, 

 or in a glass case, with a little air always on to keep the 

 atmosphere fresh and sweet. Some will do without glasses, 

 if in a warm shady close house. We grow them in sphagnum, 

 chopped into small pieces, with a little good fibrous peat, 

 and silver sand, all well mixed together. Clean river sand 

 will, however, answer the same purpose, if they are provided 

 with good drainage. 



These plants do not require large pots, as they do not 

 make much root, but they succeed well in small pots ; and 

 if bell-glasses are used, the small pot may be plunged into 

 a larger one, so that the bell-glass may fit the outer one. If 

 grown in cases, put them in small pots, and arrange them in 

 the case by placing good drainage at the bottom and sphag- 

 num 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 contrast of the different colours may have a good 

 effect. The pots should be perfectly cleap, with thorough 

 drainage at the bottom, and should be covered with a little 

 moss, and filled up with the material recommended. In 

 placing the roots in the pots, raise the stem a little above the 

 rim. Established plants may be repotted once a year, and 

 the end of February or the beginning of March will be found 

 the best time for doing this. The glass or case in which 



