THE ORCHID REVIEW. II 
CULTURE OF ORCHIDS IN LEAF-MOULD. 
AN interesting article by Mr. G. T. Grignan on the culture of Orchids in 
leaf-mould in the establishment of MM. Duval et fils, at Versailles, appears 
in Le Jardin for December 20th (p. 374). Several houses are devoted 
entirely to Orchids, which are cultivated with great success in a compost 
consisting largely of leaf-mould, and M. Beuchel, the chef de culture of the 
establishment, has communicated to the German periodical, Die Gartenwelt, 
particulars of the treatment. 
The compost used is a fibrous forest soil, consisting chiefly of half- 
decomposed leaves, and it is used just as it arrives, without intermixture 
with sand or any analagous substances. It is best to reject the fine earth 
which falls out when the large pieces are broken up, for otherwise the 
compost is not open enough, and therefore remains wet for too long a 
period, and thus causes the roots to perish. It is used both for established 
plants and for newly imported ones, and in much the same way as 
polypodium fibre. It may also be used for seed pans, but in this case the 
leaves should be cut a little, and a little chopped sphagnum should be ~ 
mixed with the soil to prevent it from being carried away by the 
watering, and as it is indispensable that the plants should be elevated above 
the edges of the pots, it should be surfaced with a thin layer of clean 
sphagnum, and in order that this sphagnum may hold well in its place 
it should be cut rather short, and moistened before putting it on. 
After repotting it is a good plan to syringe the plants several times daily 
during fine weather, so as to keep the sphagnum moderately wet, and this 
accelerates root growth. 
When the young roots begin to bury themselves in the soil one can 
begin to water, at first moderately, increasing the amount in proportion as 
the roots develop. 
Provided that one works with some precaution, the plants push forward 
well and vigorously. There is no need of manure, for the soil contains in 
itself many more nutritive substances than does polypodium fibre. 
It is necessary to carefully observe the time of rest, and particularly to 
see that the bulbs ripen and harden well, for these acquire, in this soil, a 
greater fleshiness than in polypodium and sphagnum. To secure this result 
it is necessary to give the plants plenty of air and sun after the completion 
of the bulbs, and only sufficient water to prevent the leaves and bulbs from 
shrivelling. 
Vandas, Aérides, and Angrzcums prosper greatly in this soil ; neverthe- 
less, I should not advise this method of culture for these three genera, as 
they produce a vigorous vegetation, but far fewer flowers. 
All gardeners have not at their disposal a soil similar to that which we 
