The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



if your gardener be so ill-advised as to ram it hard. 

 The sphagnum will keep an even moisture all 

 through. 



With this fill your pot or pan up to the brim, so 

 that the orchid stands upon a little hill in the 

 centre ; its old dead roots will generally keep it 

 firm. Water cannot lodge around it so elevated. 

 Trim off the straggling fibres of peat with scissors. 

 Have picked sphagnum ready — that is, green young 

 heads selected one by one. In this process slugs 

 are captured ; at all times, in dealing with moss, 

 one must recollect that these terrible enemies dwell 

 therein. Slice off a quantity of the green young 

 heads and work tliem into the surface. They will 

 grow ; they give off damp vapours, which the plant 

 evidently likes, and they look prett}^ 



In compost thus described all the many species 

 of cool orchid will thrive, though some of them 

 prefer an addition of fibrous loam. Such are noted 

 in their place. But when nothing is said to the 

 contrary, this is the potting material understood. 



It is "the ideal thing," no doubt, to re-pot 

 cool orchids every year, after flowering — that is, as 

 soon as they begin to push new roots. Those who 

 can afford the time should take note. But re- 

 potting every year is not necessary. The material 

 must never be allowed to turn sour — that is the 



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