BASKETS AND POTS 27 



as to the fact that the air has better access to the roots 

 than when the plants are in pots. Hence it is that for 

 suspending plants of small and medium growth, Orchid pans 

 made in the same way as the flower-pot are found to be 

 a convenient substitute for baskets, as they are not so liable 

 to decay as wood-baskets. 



Stanhopeas, Lueddemannias, Acinetas, and some other 

 Orchids which produce their flower spikes directly from 

 the base of the growth, must be grown in baskets to admit 

 of the proper production of their flowers, which, if grown 

 in pots, are sent down into the compost and lost. Gon- 

 goras, Cirrhaaas, and similar genera, which produce slender 

 spikes of flowers of drooping habit, are also best in baskets, 

 as they produce their flowers much more freely when the 

 plants are suspended. 



The Orchid pan, for suspending, is also equally good for 

 Masdevallias of the Chimaera section, a large number of 

 Bulbophyllums and Cirrhopetalums, and generally for plants 

 of small stature which would be too far away from the glass 

 if placed on the stage. For the bulk of the collection 

 the grower has to use the ordinary flower-pots, which are 

 still unsurpassed for general purposes. The elaborately 

 designed pots, perforated with holes or slits, which were 

 used for Orchids years ago, are not necessary, for there is no 

 defect in the ordinary flower-pot which cannot be overcome 

 by the careful and skilful practitioner. 



Rafts and cylinders of teak-wood made in the same 

 manner as baskets are useful for some species, but it has to 

 be remembered that plants on rafts are liable to suffer from 

 lack of sufficient moisture-holding material around them. 

 Broughtonia sanguinea, however, is never so happy as when 



