THE ORCHID REVIEW. 231 



ORCHIDS IN LEAF-MOULD IN JAPAN. 



Mr. Theo. Eckhardt, in a recent issue of the Florists' Exchange, makes an 

 interesting contribution to the question of growing Orchids in leaf-mould, 

 the substance of which we reproduce here : —I observe in recent numbers 

 that notes on the cultivation of Orchids in leaf-mould are freely compared 

 by the experts of America. I have for years followed the development of 

 this innovation, and have given details of my observations in previous 

 numbers. It may be of interest to add to what has been said on the 

 subject the experience in that method of Orchid growing in the Imperial 

 Gardens at Tokio. 



As with everything else there, Orchids are in fine form, under the care 

 of the able director, Mr. Fucuba, and as that gentleman is of the French 

 school, he has, of course, carefully studied this new method, some of his 

 trials have extended over three or four years, and some are still new. The 

 results are, in the main, as follow : — 



For Cattleyas leaf-mould is accepted altogether; the experience, and 

 subsequent general adoption of this new potting medium has given grand 

 results, and if there is any difference at all, C. labiata seems to revel in that 



Dendrobiums like it as well. A notable instance is the D. superbum. 

 This Philippine Orchid would formerly dwindle away in the course of three 

 or four seasons after importing, but grown in leaf-mould the results are 

 different— the bulbs increasing in size, and a comparison of plants, hanging 

 side by side, showing such a marked difference in the root and bulb system 

 that there cannot be any question about the value of leaf-mould here. 



Oncidiums show the same predisposition to gradually deteriorate after 

 they are taken away from their natural homes, and this is most obvious- 

 with such kinds as O. sarcodes, O. tigrinum, &c. Leaf-mould has again 

 reversed the conditions, and these Oncidiums prosper and increase in size 



An exception in the results obtained from the use of leaf-mould is to be 

 recorded in the case of Cypripediums ; these are not at all suited with the 

 leaf-mould, and after careful trials during two seasons it has been dropped. 



Now, the argument that the leaf-mould of Europe, and, in this case, of 

 Japan, is different in its composition from that of America, can hardly 

 stand. The natural leaf-mould of the Belgians, as it comes (as surface 

 rakings) from the woods, and the artificial compost which the French as a 

 rule prepare on their own places ; and, again, the chestnut mould of the 

 Italian growers, which I have watched, are all different as far as the variety 

 of their leaves is concerned. Again, the Japanese leaves are grown in very 

 different soils, and the varieties are also quite different. If all these kinds 



