ORCHIDS 291 



separately into small pots, preferably in the Bracken rhizomes from 

 fibrous Orchid peat. This material can be bought from many 

 florists, and from horticultural sundriesmen. If the plants are 

 kept in a cool, moist atmosphere, protected from bright sun, and 

 kept just moist, they will soon break into growth, and may then 

 be potted in a mixture of fibrous peat and chopped sphagnum 

 moss in equal parts, with a good sprinkling of crocks. Repotting 

 should be done either in early spring or early autumn. When 

 new roots are forming the plants quickly establish themselves. 

 Repotting during hot summer weather is not safe. Never give 

 large shifts. The base of the pseudo-bulbs should be above the 

 level of the rim of the pot. Any old, worn-out pseudo-bulbs may 

 be cut away. 



If a house is to be built for the plants, it should be provided 

 with abundant means for ventilation, and with sufficient piping to 

 maintain a minimum night temperature of 45 in winter. At that 

 period growth will not be active, but at the same time the plants 

 will not be entirely quiescent, and they must not be kept entirely 

 without water, or shrivelling of the pseudo-bulbs will take place, 

 and failure result. 



During summer the plants will take a good deal of water, and 

 what is more, will appreciate a humid atmosphere. Dry air does 

 not suit them. The pots, stages, and floors should be damped 

 several times a day during very hot weather, the ventilators should 

 be quite open, and shading should be provided. The material for 

 breaking the sun should be fixed a few inches above the glass. 



Space will not permit of fuller details of the cultivation of the 

 various kinds of Orchids. We have touched on a few of the 

 principal points, and practical experience and careful observation 

 will help the beginner further on the road to success. He will 

 have gathered that most of the principal Orchids, however they 

 may differ in their requirements in respect to heat, love a moist 

 atmosphere, thrive in peat, sphagnum moss, and crocks; and, 



