PHALAENOPSIS. 659 



baskets. We have found them to succeed well under all three modes of 

 treatment ; they require, however, more moisture at the roots if grown 

 on blocks or rafts, whilst if grown in pots, more drainage will be 

 required than when they are planted in baskets. For pot culture, the 

 best way is to place an inverted pot in the bottom of the one intended for 

 the plant, and fill in the intervening space with potsherds, broken into 

 pieces about 2 inches square, to within 2 inches of the rim; sphagnum, 

 having a few small pieces of charcoal mixed with it, should then be 

 placed upon the drainage, and the plant elevated 3 inches above the 

 rim, taking care to keep the base of the plant well above the moss. 

 The successful culture of Phalaenopsis, as well as of all other plants, 

 depends upon efficient drainage. If grown on blocks or rafts they 

 should be placed on good-sized ones, so that there may be plenty of 

 surface for the roots to cling to. In fastening the plant on, first place 

 a little live sphagnum on the block, then fix the plant on with copper 

 wire, and afterwards hang it up near the roof, but not too near the 

 glass, or the plants may get injured by cold, which should be specially 

 guarded against during winter. 



If the plants should get into an unhealthy condition, the best plan is; 

 to turn them out of their pots or baskets, and shake all the material 

 away from their roots, wash them with clean water, cut ofi" all -the 

 decayed parts of roots or leaves, and rej)lace them on blocks or rafts with 

 a little sphagnum, giving them a good sujDply of moisture, and placing 

 them at the warmest end of the house, but not too much exposed to the 

 light. Under this treatment they will soon begin to root and improve 

 in appearance. We need hardly add that they should be kept clear of 

 insects, especiallj'- of the thrips, which soon disfigure the foliage. 

 Constant attention is necessary, as they require the frequent washing of 

 the leaves with a sponge and clean tepid water, or the fumigation of the 

 house with tobacco smoke, to keep them clear of all such pests ; the 

 latter operation, however— that of fumigation — should be conducted 

 with great care. 



These plants are difficult to propagate, as they supply few oppor- 

 tunities for division. To this rule, however, P. Liiddemanniana is an 

 e.xception, as it produces young plants upon the flower scapes very freely. 

 Sometimes the other species also will produce young plants on the old 

 flower stems, and we have seen P. Stuartiana produce them upon its 



42* 



