THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
[August, 1921. 1 
Of the three big essentials, light, air, and moisture, it is light that is 
wholly withheld from plants packed in eases, and when they are unpacked 
after being long in the cases, only a very subdued light should reach them 
for a few days, much less than is found in an ordinary shaded glasshouse. 
A dry shed with a genial temperature, healthily ventilated, and with side 
light only, is the right kind of place to keep the plants for a few days to 
begin their restoration. No water should at once be given to the roots. 
“ The plants were in really good condition, but after a few days they 
lost quite a dozen dark green leaves. Why was this ? I gave them all 
a little water as soon as unpacked. Was this right ? ” The letter from 
which the above extract was taken did not say how much light was given, 
but a fair assumption would be that the plants were placed in the glass¬ 
house where the air was humid and the light good ; we also know they were 
watered at once. One cannot say that those dark green leaves would have 
stayed on, whatever the treatment, but a little patience in coaxing back the 
functioning of the leaves might have saved them. 
A better plan than watering the roots is to syringe in between the pots, 
wetting the outsides of them, and thus arrest the further drying of the 
compost, and this while the plants are still in the dry shed and in an 
atmosphere that is not a “ growing ” one. During these early days the 
leaves should be gone over and carefully sponged with tepid rain water, thus 
removing dust and any impurities that may impede transpiration, 
finishing with a well squeezed sponge. After a few days of this treatment 
the plants may be removed to a glasshouse, to a well ventilated dry corner, 
and well shaded, the light and moisture, atmospherically and at the roots, 
being ever so gradually increased. 
It is a singular fact that it is the plump, green, healthy leaves that are 
most ready to drop, and when plants arrive in this condition after being a 
long time in a dark case, particular caution must be taken. On the other 
hand, plants that have bulbs and leaves shrivelled for want of moisture are 
much less sensitive in this respect. But it is plants in the former condition 
that one likes to receive, and I hope the hints given here will be of 
advantage to those importers of Orchids whose experience of them is 
limited. J* M * Black- 
Orchid Challenge Cups.— With regard to the two Challenge Cups 
that are to be offered for Orchids at the R.H.S. meeting on November 1st, 
1921, the first cup, to the value of 30 guineas, is open to all amateurs, and 
the other cup, to the value of 20 guineas, is open only to such amateurs as 
•employ not more than three assistants, including a head-gardener, in their 
Orchid houses. Groups exhibited for the smaller cup must not exceed 60 
square ft. in area. 
