526 orchid-grower's manual. 



the block, then fix the plant on with copper wire, and after- 

 wards hang it up near the roof, but not too near the glass, 

 or the plants may get injured by cold, which should be 

 specially guarded against during winter. 



If the plants should get into an unhealthy condition, the 

 best plan is to turn them out of their pots or baskets, and 

 shake all the material away from their roots, wash them with 

 clean water, cut off all the decayed parts of roots or leaves, and 

 replace them on blocks or rafts with a little sphagnum, giving 

 them a good supply of moisture, and placing them at the 

 warmest end of the house, but not too much exposed to the 

 light. Under this treatment they will soon begin to root 

 and improve in appearance. We need hardly add that they 

 should be kept clear of insects, especially of the thrips, which 

 soon disfigures the foliage. Constant attention is necessary, 

 as they requii-e the frequent washing of the leaves with a 

 sponge and clean tepid water, or the fumigation of the house 

 with tobacco smoke, to keep them clear of all such pests ; 

 the latter operation, however — that of fumigation — should be 

 conducted with great care. 



These plants are difficult to propagate, as they supply few 

 opportunities for division. To this rule, however, P. Liidde- 

 manniana is an exception, as it produces young plants upon 

 the flower scapes very freely. Sometimes the other species 

 also will produce young plants on the old flower stems, and 

 we have seen P. Stuartiana produce young plants upon its 

 roots. When this happens they should be left on till well 

 rooted, and then placed on small blocks. 



Too much water must not be given to these plants at any 

 time, and they must not be watered overhead in the winter, 

 or during dull weather, or disastrous results may follow. 

 The reader would do well to refer to our remarks on watering 

 at pages 89 and 90. 



