STAKING OR FIXING ORCHIDS 29 
pseudo-bulbs, The sticks rapidly decayed, often leaving 
the stumps to harbour fungus and cause injury to the 
plants. 
The compact specimens of the present day, when pro- 
perly grown, require no support from sticks. In respect 
to specimens of larger growth, such as Aérides of tall habit, 
Leelias of the L. purpurata class, and Dendrobiums, when 
they require sticking at all, they may be securely supported 
by one stick in the centre, to which one of the strongest 
growths should be fastened, any others requiring support 
being looped to the centre stick. The fewer sticks used 
the better. 
Dwarf plants with creeping rhizomes between the pseudo- 
bulbs used often to be secured when repotted by small 
wire pegs, and the custom is not yet quite obsolete. 
Metal, especially galvanised iron wire, which is most 
commonly used, is very injurious to any portion of an 
Orchid which is allowed to come in contact with it. Such 
pegs are unnecessary, for the plants can be fixed with the 
potting material, and later on the new roots will effectually _ 
secure them. 
In fastening Orchids on rafts or blocks, fine copper 
wire should be used, and all the care possible taken to 
prevent it resting on the rhizomes or stems, a small piece 
of peat or Sphagnum-moss being placed beneath the wire 
where it crosses the plant. Where Orchids such as 
Phalznopsis are grown in baskets or hanging pans, 
the leaves should not be allowed to touch the wire sus- 
penders, or injury will result. Where leaves too closely 
approach the wire suspenders during their growth, the 
wire should be bent to avoid contact, or have a small 
