SPOT IN ORCHIDS. 55 



named plants, or of those with similarly-fonned bulbs, 

 becomes discoloured, and the dark or discoloured part appears 

 moist or wet, especially if any fluid exudes fi-om it on pressure, 

 the wet or discoloured part should be immediately cut out, or 

 there is danger that the bulb will be destroyed, as the rot is 

 often much more extensive within the bulb than the discoloured 

 appearances on the outside would seem to indicate. The 

 plant should also be removed to a drier and cooler place, and 

 water should be given with the utmost care. 



SPOT IN ORCHIDS. 



pHIS disease is the dread of many Orchid growers, and 

 there is no denying that when it attacks plants it 

 soon disfigures them. Some assert that it is in- 

 fectious, but in this I am a total unbeliever. Indeed, I would 

 have no hesitation in placing a plant infected with spot 

 amongst a quantity of healthy ones, and should any of 

 these become diseased, I should feel certain it was induced 

 by a wrong course of treatment in some respect, and that no 

 blame could be laid to the charge of a neighbouring plant. 

 A great deal has been said and written respecting this disease, 

 which I have seen in various places, and in other plants as 

 weU as in Orchids. I have not experienced much of it 

 myself, and have in most cases found that the plants out- 

 grow it. 



To prevent the disease making its appearance, no rotten or 

 rotting material should be permitted near the roots, either 

 in the shape of sour stagnant moss, or soil, or decomposed 

 wood. If the plants get sufficient, but not excessive heat, an 



