102 THE ORCHID .REVIEW. (APRIL, 1915. 
(Concluded from page 72). 
OTS, pans, and baskets are specially made for Orchids. The potting 
p depends upon the rate of growth; seedlings are potted each year, but 
older plants less frequently. In repotting care must be taken not to 
damage the roots, which sometimes adhere to the outside of the pots, as in 
Phalzenopsis, when the best plan is to break the pot. In most cases the 
old ball is.broken, the old compost being removed, except a little which 
may adhere to the living roots. Roots, when too long, are shortened with 
a sharp knife. The pots are drained with clean crocks to about a quarter 
of their depth. The new material must be put in evenly, care being taken 
to have it equally firm throughout, the object being firmness with the 
necessary porosity. When the potting is completed the surface should be 
rough, and a little elevated for epiphytal species. The practice of 
basketing epiphytal species that have pendulous shoots and inflorescences 
is very common in Belgium. These are suspended about two feet from 
the roof, where they make luxuriant growths. 
PROPAGATION.—The methods employed for Orchid propagation are 
many and varied. The commonest one is by severing portions from large 
plants when potting is done, as for example Cattleya, Lelia, and Odonto- 
glossum. Big nurseries and the trade generally do not grow large 
specimens, as they are not so floriferous and are in various ways unsuit- 
able for commercial purposes. In genera like Anzctochilus and Vanilla 
the propagation is effected by stem cuttings. Vanda and Aérides are 
propagated, by layering. In Phalenopsis the inflorescence sometimes 
produces bulbils, which send out roots, and these can be potted on. The 
inflorescence of Phaius is cut off when the flowers are dead, and placed in 
a moist, shady place, where after a time it produces buds. These emit 
roots, and by severing these the stock can be increased. These methods, 
however, are of far less importance to the Orchid grower than reproduction 
by seeds, at all events since the introduction of hybridisation, on which 
subject a few remarks must be made, as it is the highest branch of the 
Orchidist’s,art. The object in hybridisation is to obtain new varieties, 
with improved form and colour. 
VY ORCHID CULTURE IN BELGIUM. 
SOWING, THE SEEDS.—The seeds can be sown as soon as ripe, 
preserved till later. If collected in the summer or autumn it is best to 
wait until the following spring before sowing. A common practice is to 
sow on the compost of the parent plants, and then keep them in a moist 
place. This is the method for Cypripedium, Miltonia, and Odontoglossum, 
