May, 1922.| THE ORCHID REVIEW. I5t 
THE AMATEUR’S PAGE. 
vy. some amateurs starve their plants by neglecting to replenish 
the compost, there are others who go to the opposite extreme and 
sicken them by an over-abundant supply. We can, indeed, be too kind to 
our plants, and by placing them in pots that are many sizes too large an 
arrest of development is more likely to occur than the hoped for continuous 
improvement. One of the secrets of the good health of the plants seen in 
the trade growers’ establishment is the comparatively small size of the pots 
used. With the present high cost of fuel no space on the staging can be 
allowed to remain unoccupied, nor can any plants take up more room than 
is necessary for their cultivation. But with many amateurs there is always 
a feeling that each time a plant is repotted a larger pot must be used. 
Dendrobiums, especially, dislike being over-potted, and quickly show their 
disfavour when so done. One of our most successful cultivators of this 
genus always divides his plants in the spring of the year and places neat 
pieces consisting of three to four healthy bulbs in pots that just allow room 
for the new growth to be made, and for the roots that are produced from it 
to enter the compost. The results are truly astonishing, in nearly every case 
bulbs are made that considerably exceed the former ones in height and girth. 
Plenty of water is given during the growing season, and with the small 
amount of compost in use there is practically no chance of the new growth 
damping off or of the roots perishing from stagnant surroundings. 
The natural habit of most Orchids is to extend themselves by producing 
about one new bulb each year, and in the same direction, so that in course 
of time a Cattleya would have, say, ten bulbs standing erect in a row, and 
Tequire a pot about ten inches in diameter. Such a pot as this would 
require far more compost than the new growth requires. The proper treat- 
ment for such a plant is to divide it, placing each plant in a separate pot, or 
else placing both pieces side by side, with both leading growths pointing in 
the same direction. By thus using a pot about half the former size 
there will be a considerable saving in the amount and cost of the compost, 
While the health of the plant will be more easily maintained. 
Years ago, large specimen plants were more desired than they are now, 
and one of the methods then adopted, and one, in fact, that might be 
utilised to a larger extent to-day, was to place inside the large pot a smaller 
one in an inverted position. This had the effect of providing ample venti- 
lation to the roots, and always gave successful results with many of the 
Smaller growing plants that are not deep rooting. But the same effect can 
no doubt be produced by using shallow pans, which can be placed on the 
Staging or suspended by wires from the roof. Special Orchid pots and pans 
with large holes in the side can sometimes be procured, and they certainly 
