Mr. Powell, who has charge of Mr. Brymer’s fine collection of plants, is very 
successful in the cultivation of this rare species, he grows it upon a block cut 
from a Tree-Fern stem (Dicksonia antarctica), and, judging by the manner in which 
the numerous roots are penetrating the Fern stem, the plant is quite happy with 
its surrounding, and doubtless there are many other small growing Dendrobes which 
would succeed equally well, treated in a similar manner. Tree-Fern stems are very 
lasting, and, moreover, are not subject to attacks of Fungi, which blocks of other 
woods frequently are, and which are very detrimental to the roots of Orchids, 
whereas the moisture held by the blocks of Fern stems gradually trickles away, so 
that nothing stagnant is kept in proximity to the roots. Tree-Fern stems for this 
purpose are by no means hard to procure, as we know well, from personal experience, 
that many consignments of these plants perish during their transit to this country, 
and thus are useless for any other purpose. Orchids grown upon blocks of this 
description require to be frequently dipped in water, as the moisture quickly 
evaporates from them in hot, bright, sunny weather, but in winter they merely 
require to be kept slightly moist in order to supply the roots with sufficient 
nourishment to maintain the plants in a healthy condition. 
