294 Orchid Culture. 



ORCHID CULTURE. — V. 



By John G. Barker, Cambridge, Mass. 



Potting. — The proper season for potting is the earlier part of the 

 year, or when the 'plants begin to grow. After taking the plant to 

 re-pot, care must be taken not to break the roots ; frequently they will 

 be found adhering so closely to the sides of the pot that they will not 

 leave without breaking. In cases of this kind they can be separated 

 from the pot by thrusting down the inside a thin-bladed knife, which, 

 if they are not too numerous, will separate them very readily ; but in 

 some cases the pot will have to be broken, and it must be done gently, 

 so as not to break the roots, and then remove as much as you can of 

 the bi'oken pot ; some will still be left with the roots fastened to the 

 pieces. Before the plant is re-potted, shake off as mitch of the old 

 soil as you can, and then examine the roots to see that there are no 

 insects, and cut away all the dead roots to the living part, then re-pot 

 carefully, the pot being quite clean both inside and out, and being in 

 size proportionate to that of the plant, bearing in mind that orchids 

 require more room than plants generally do ; then put in the drainage, 

 the large pieces at the bottom, the second size next, and the third next, 

 until the pot is about half filled ; then place in a sufficient quantity of 

 the right compost, so that the plant will be elevated above the rim of 

 the pot ; then work the compost firmly among the roots, and if the plant 

 is not firm, thrust in some sticks among the roots, and tie the pseudo 

 bulbs to them neatly ; then cover up the compost neatly with some 

 chopped sphagnum ; set the pot on the floor, and with the coarsest rose 

 on the syringe force the water out all over it ; this will settle the compost, 

 and give it a neat, clean appearance ; then take the plant back to its 

 place again ; and so proceed until all that require potting are done. 



Terrestrial Species. — These require something of a different mode 

 of treatment. They are the earth-growing stove orchids, and are 

 found growing in rich, constantly decomposing vegetable soil ; and to 

 succeed with them we must imitate this soil as far as possible. The 

 Bletia Tankervillicc, referred to in the May number of the Journal, is 

 one of this kind, and is grown in the following compost : fibry loam 

 and leaf-mould, the latter not too much decayed, and dried cow-dung, 

 all well mixed with small pieces of charcoal ; the difierence between 

 the epiphytal and terrestrial orchids being that the first thrive better if 



