The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



sometimes, for they grow verj- fast if comfortable. 

 Tn such cases the pot should Ije bound together 

 with string, so tliat it ^vill not fly to pieces wlien 

 or(d<:en. Then crack it with a hammer — place it, 

 so shattered liut not divided, in the larger pot, on a 

 lied of crocks, support it, lightly, with crocks all 

 round and lumps of peat, and cut the strings. 

 Thus tlie roots, unbroken, will gradually force out 

 the smashed sides to which they cling, and escape 

 through the interstices. Peat, turfy loam — both 

 in large fragments — moss, and sharp sand, are the 

 potting materials. But the })rudent amateur A\ill 

 never buy Cj'mbidiums unestablished, nor ever 

 repot them before it is urgent. Great judgment 

 is needed to start an imported plant. That work 

 is liest left to professionals. The Belgian system 

 appears to be specially suited to these plants. 



C'ymbidiums rank among the orchids which cer- 

 tainly Ijeuefit by manure. A weak solution of cow- 

 ilung may be applied once a fortnight, or oftener 

 if the plant be growing strong ; but it must be 

 stopped, of course, as the resting-time approaches. 

 They will not bear to be dried at any season. 



Jjfinc (the word means " akin" — I do not under- 

 stand its significance here).— Of good size, wdiite, 

 the lip spotted with purple. Winter. Kliasya 

 Hills, India. lOs. (Jd. 



88 



