STAKING OR FIXING ORCHIDS 29 



pseudo-bulbs. The sticks rapidly decayed, often leaving 

 the stumps to harbour fungus and cause injury to the 

 plants. 



The compact specimens of the present day, when pro- 

 perly grown, require no support from sticks. In respect 

 to specimens of larger growth, such as Aerides of tall habit, 

 Laelias of the L. purpurata class, and Dendrobiums, when 

 they require sticking at all, they may be securely supported 

 by one stick in the centre, to which one of the strongest 

 growths should be fastened, any others requiring support 

 being, looped to the centre stick. The fewer sticks used 

 the better. 



Dwarf plants with creeping rhizomes between the pseudo- 

 bulbs used often to be secured when repotted by small 

 wire pegs, and the custom is not yet quite obsolete. 

 Metal, especially galvanised iron wire, which is most 

 commonly used, is very injurious to any portion of an 

 Orchid which is allowed to come in contact with it. Such 

 pegs are unnecessary, for the plants can be fixed with the 

 potting material, and later on the new roots will effectually 

 secure them. 



In fastening Orchids on rafts or blocks, fine copper 

 wire should be used, and all the care possible taken to 

 prevent it resting on the rhizomes or stems, a small piece 

 of peat or Sphagnum-moss being placed beneath the wire 

 where it crosses the plant. Where Orchids such as 

 Phalasnopsis are grown in baskets or hanging pans, 

 the leaves should not be allowed to touch the wire sus- 

 penders, or injury will result. Where leaves too closely 

 approach the wire suspenders during their growth, the 

 wire should be bent to avoid contact, or have a small 



