OUCHIDS : HOW TO GfcOW. THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 41 



and very careful with newly imported plants, getting them gradually 

 accustomed to heat, light, and moisture, for if this is done too rapidly, 

 and too liberally, the foliage may drop off considerably, and perhaps 

 the pseudobulbs decay. 



When the plants are received, all useless decaying foliage, roots, 

 &c., should be removed carefully; and this done, the plants should be 

 placed in a shady part of the Cool house, on the stage, and kept free 

 from water and in an upright position, the moisture of the house being 

 sufficient for one or two days. The foliage and pseudobulbs will soon 

 commence swelling and become plump, and occasional waterings may 

 then be given to the roots. As soon as the new growth or roots appear, 

 the imported plants may be potted or placed in baskets or pans and 

 then treated as established plants, watering them carefully as required. 

 Some growers suspend the newly imported plants by the roots with the 

 growth, downwards, in the shade of the house, in order that no water 

 shall lodge about them, receiving only the moist atmosphere of the 

 house ; but I am not in favour of this plan, and prefer placing them in 

 an upright position from the first, as I have already explained. 

 Experience has shown me that when suspended the imported plants do 

 not so readily resume their normal functions of growth, the delay being 

 much less when placed in an upright position. Should fliey, however, 

 belong to the Cattleya or Warm-house section, they may be removed 

 there after being a few days in a more shaded house. When potting 

 or placing them in baskets advantage should be taken of this oppor- 

 tunity to form well shaped, compact plants, as frequently the imported 

 plants, as taken from the branches of trees or when growing, are 

 spreading and ill formed. In potting these it is sometimes necessary 

 to part the mass and again replace the parts together, in order that 

 the leading growth may take its proper position, and this can be done 

 without the slightest injury at this stage, and a well shaped plant 

 will be secured. 



In potting the plants it is a great mistake to leave a mass of the 

 old roots on them, as these, when confined in the pots, soon decay and 

 become an inert mass of decomposed soddeiied matter, which is most 

 objectionable and injurious to the new roots that will be formed. 

 These old dead roots should be severely dealt with, and all taken clean 

 away to the pseudobulb, as also all dead leaves or bulbs. With 

 Odontoglossums and Dendrobiums a few of their old roots, cut back to 

 two or three inches long, may be left on the plant, being useful in 

 helping to keep the plants in position when potting them. 



PKOPAGATIOK 



Propagation of Orchids, or speaking more correctly of some kinds 

 of Orchids, is slow indeed, and often unnecessary, as healthy and vigorous 

 plants that will flower the first year may be bought at a very low 



