ORCHIDS I HOW TO GEOW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 35 



thrust into the compost gently, so as not to injure any roots but yet 

 support the plant securely, and prevent injury to the pseudobulbs and 

 young growth. As soon as the plant is made secure by the support of 

 sticks, then carefully finish off the potting, by filling up any holes or 

 loose places, leaving an even regular surface, with the centre of the 

 plant a little raised and tapering off to the rim of the pot, bearing in 

 mind that the compost should rise well up to the base of the pseudo- 

 bulbs, especially the leading ones. Newly forming roots will then 

 push out direct into the fresh compost, and having grown safely into 

 the moss they are out of the way of their enemies, the slugs and other 

 pests, which are very partial to the young and tender points. In 

 repotting, the opportunity should be embraced of forming a neat and 

 well shaped plant; and if ill shaped, it should be cut in two and 

 re-arranged into a better form, with the growths pointing towards 

 the centre. 



Fig. 11 represents a newly potted plant of Cattleya, showing 

 position of drainage and compost. 



ODONTOGLOSSUMS AND ONCLDIUMS. 



The mode of potting these is very similar to that already described 

 for Cattleyas, as to drainage, compost, and other items, although 

 Odontoglossums and Oncidiums are not quite so sensitive as to the 

 fibrous nature of peat; therefore the best, and that which is of the 

 most fibrous texture, should be selected for the Cattleyas. Neither 

 should over large pots be used for Odontoglossums, as they become 

 re-established much quicker and are more readily managed in com- 

 paratively small pots. I do not, of course, recommend cramming the 

 plants in so that they are in a cramped state to commence with and 

 have not sufficient room to grow. "What I mean is, that the old 

 pseudobulbs should be placed close together, filling in between them 

 with compost to the base, allowing a margin between the leading 

 pseudobulbs and the rim of the pot sufficient for the development 

 of the next two years' growth ; that is, two new bulbs before the 

 side is reached. These should also be made firm in their pots by 

 the use of small sticks. 



CYPEIPEDIUMS. 



These plants very soon recover from any disturbance of the roots, 

 and are very free growing. They require a compost with a little more 

 body in it, and of a richer nature than that previously recommended 

 for Odontoglossums ; it should consist of equal parts lumpy peat, not 

 of such a fibrous nature as for Cattleyas, adding sphagnum and a 

 fourth part of fibrous loam broken into small pieces. This, with a 

 liberal addition of coarse silver or river sand, should be well mixed 

 together. The pots should be crocked, as recommended for Cattleyas, 



