36 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



than by over-watering, at the same time much mischief is 

 caused by a system of giving a little watering frequently all 

 the year round, and without any regard to the period of 

 growth or rest through which the plants are passing. Such 

 treatment does not provide for strong growth during the 

 growing season, or adequate rest after the growths are 

 finished ; consequently the plants decline in health and 

 the flowers are not satisfactory. Rain-water is the only 

 suitable water for Orchids, and the growers who can com- 

 mand a supply of it all the year round possess a great 

 advantage over those who have to use water from any 

 other source. 



During the period of growth and root action, too much 

 water at the root cannot easily be given, provided the 

 material in which the plants are potted is sufficiently porous 

 and the pots or Orchid pans have a sufficient drainage. 

 The rule should be to water thoroughly when watering 

 at all, making sure that the whole of the potting material 

 is moistened well, then not to give more water to that 

 plant until the effect of the watering is seen to be passing, 

 the plant being still moist but approaching dryness, when 

 the thorough watering should be repeated. Nothing is 

 more misleading than to pour a little water each day on 

 the surface of the material in which the plant is potted. 

 This is often considered to be careful watering, but it 

 results in a large number of the plants never getting 

 thoroughly moist at the root, while others in a reten- 

 tive compost, or where the drainage is defective, become 

 soddened. Such cases may arise occasionally under any 

 conditions, and, where a thoroughly dry plant is found at 

 a season when it should be moist, it is better to plunge 



