Odontoo;lossum 



this annoyance at one time, and, naturally, put it 

 clown to the cause alleged. Nevertheless, I con- 

 tinued to raise steam in moderation, and presently 

 it vanished. Why it came and why it went is 

 equally mysterious. Now I water the pipes freely, 

 and no bad consequences follow. 



The sphagnum moss upon the surface of the pots 

 will give the amateur a hint whether or no his 

 plants are comfortable. In the chapter on Potting 

 I have described the two systems — peat and sphag- 

 num in equal quantities, with a little Bedfordshire 

 sand, according to the old rule ; Belgian leaf- 

 mould, with half an inch of chopped sphagnum on 

 the top, according to the new. In either case the 

 moss upon the surface will take root and grow if 

 all be well. Then, should its green heads look 

 grey, be sure your orchid wants water — or atten- 

 tion, at least ; should they look dull and dark, it is 

 o-etting: too much water. 



The great majority of Odontoglots flower in the 

 spring — the wet season of their native country. 

 Under cultivation accidents imperceptible to us 

 will cause many to delay, which is not to be re- 

 gretted by any means. But nine in ten should 

 bloom between February and July. The pseudo- 

 bulb, therefore, will be ripening from the end of 

 November onward. If too much water be given 



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