ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 1 75 



method adopted, and by those who ought to have known better. It is preferable 

 to clear away the whole of the old material of the old ball, gently separating it 

 from the roots, so that in repotting the whole of the compost is fresh and sound. 

 I do oot wish it to be understood that it is absolutely necessary that every 

 par icle of the old material should be cleaned away at the risk of breaking or 

 bruising or otherwise destroying the roots. Such a practice is to be deprecated. 

 Unless a plant has increased in size it is frequently advisable to repot into the 

 same sized pot in new compost. Should there have been a decrease in size 

 then a smaller pot may be used. 



3. Should Orchids that are making new growth in the winter months be 

 encouraged to do so freely, by keeping warmer or inoister, or should the growth 

 be allowed to proceed but slowly ? 



REPLY. Should an Orchid which naturally starts its growth in spring 

 and completes it during the summer and autumn (such for instance as a 

 Dendrobium or a Cattleya), from some cause or other be found struggling to do 

 in the winter what should have been accomplished in the summer, then a little 

 more help and encouragement should be given to it, and the plant should receive 

 assistance. On the other hand, there are many Orchids which are naturally 

 making new growth throughout the winter ; such as Laslia purpurata, Odonto- 

 glossums, Oncidiums, and others. Such should be allowed to proceed slowly in 

 the departments recommended for them, assisting the plant to mature its growth 

 in a sound, healthy condition, rather th n risk losing it by unduly exciting it 

 into growth. 



4 When new growth and flowers are being developed at the same time, 

 as for example in Dendrobium nobile, D. Wardianum, Odontoglossum citrosmum, 

 is it better to repot or basket before the flowers are out, or after they are over ? 



REPLY. In most cases it is best not to disturb the roots by repotting 

 until after the plant has flowered, although with some species whether repotting 

 takes place before or after flowering is not so important. I, on one occasion, 

 potted up some Cattleya Mossiae just before flowering, and they grew equally as 

 well as others potted afterwards. Still it is best, with the exception of such 

 Orchids as Anguloas and Lycaste aromatica, to pot directly after flowering. 

 The two Orchids just named grow so fast, that before the flowers have faded 

 the new growth and young tender roots have made such headway that if 

 disturbed then, they receive a great check. Dendrobium Wardianum is the 

 only Dendrobe I know that may be potted before blooming. I have repotted 

 these in December before the flower buds were too large, but never allo wing- 

 that operation to interfere with their course of resting, as it is not necessary to 

 place them in more warmth immediately afterwards. I also repot after 

 flowering. 



5. Is there any remedy for preventing the entire decay of a Cattleya 

 bulb when once attacked with mildew, arising from moisture and dampness in 

 the sheath after blooming ; and what treatment is advisable, besides proper 

 ventilation and careful watering, to ensure the bulb from such attack altogether ? 



REPLY. Yes, by the complete removal of the decaying part, cutting it 

 cleanly away from the top of the bulb as far as the disease has extended 

 downwards, and afterwards scraping the wound with a knife to remove a little 

 of the moisture. The treatment advisable as a preventive is to remove bodily 



