24 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



use loam fibre with a sprinkling of leaves and broken 

 crocks entirely for Cypripedium insigne and others of the 

 green-leafed class, and also for Calanthes, Phaius, Zygo- 

 petalums, and other plants. 



In preparing the peat for use in potting, the bracken 

 rhizomes should be set aside to place as a layer over the 

 crocks, with a little Sphagnum-moss. Bracken rhizomes 

 have been used with advantage instead of crocks to form 

 drainage for Odontoglossums, and some growers like it 

 so much for that purpose that the horticultural sundries- 

 men supply it sterilised in bags. 



The methods of potting and choice of material vary 

 with different growers, each pursuing in some matters dif- 

 ferent methods to those observed by others. It is desirable 

 that an Orchid grower should endeavour to find out the 

 best methods for his own circumstances and, if the results 

 are satisfactory, that he should adhere to them, for there 

 is no more prolific cause of failure than in continually 

 trying experiments recommended by others. The operation 

 of potting or basketing Orchids is very simple, and can be 

 readily learned by observation. The aim should be to 

 avoid injuring the living roots but to leave the plant firm 

 in the pot. 



BASKETS AND POTS 



It is more in accordance with nature to grow epiphytal 

 Orchids of convenient size in baskets to be suspended from 

 the roof of the Orchid house, and in the case of subjects 

 reputedly difficult to grow the best results are often at- 

 tained in this way. At the same time, this is due as much 

 to the plants being placed near to the glass of the roof, 



