122 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
flower, and must receive more water. These are generally very easy 
Orchids to grow, so long as the roots are in good condition. The most 
important points to bear in mind in the successful culture of Dendrobiums 
are to guard against over-potting, to pot lightly, to use the best of peat and 
sphagnum (if the former is not good use the latter alone), to water freely 
when growing, to give plenty of heat, and to keep a very moist atmosphere, 
and to suspend all near the glass that can conveniently be suspended. 
Wherever repotting can be done it should be proceeded with briskly, 
for Orchids always grow better and recover quickly from the effects of root 
disturbance if they are repotted at the proper time. Those who under- 
stand the growth of Orchids in the least will easily recognise the proper season. 
It is when the new growths appear, and new roots are’ seen to push out. 
It is then that these new roots delight in sweet fresh compost, and readily 
take hold of it. Some of the earliest to flower of the Cattleyas and Lelias 
are now in this condition, and should be attended to if they require it. 
The best compost, I still maintain, is good fibrous peat and fresh sphagnum 
moss in equal parts, intermixed with a few broken crocks or charcoal. 
Break the peat up in pieces about the size of a hen’s egg, and knock out 
the greater portion of the fine or dusty particles. Having the new compost 
at hand, together with a supply of clean crocks, the .repotting may be. 
proceeded with. Turn out the plant, and remove the old material clinging 
to the roots as carefully as possible, so as not to injure them. A clean pot 
of the right size should now be crocked, or drained—if a small one, about 
half-full; if a large one, about three-parts full. On these place a layer of 
sphagnum, then place the plant in position, holding it there with one hand, 
and evenly distribute the roots with the other, afterwards filling in between 
the roots with the new compost, taking care not to press it in too firmly. 
I prefer to pot very loosely, keeping the plant fixed in its proper position by 
the means of a few small sticks. The roots are thus enabled to enter and 
ramble more freely, and quickly become re-established ; the water can also 
pass through freely and escape. 
The potting of Cypripediums must also be seen to as they commence to 
grow. These Orchids are not so particular as to the fibrous nature of the 
peat ; a little fibrous loam may also be added with good effect, although this 
latter is not an absolute necessity, the success of culture depending much 
more upon atmosphere, temperature, watering, and general attention, than 
upon any particular soil. Repot Cypripediums just like other Orchids. 
Sometimes one is afraid of injuring the roots, and therefore inserts the old 
ball of roots intact into a new pot, which is exceedingly bad practice, and 
never answers. 
Now is the best time to purchase newly-imported Orchids, as they have 
the summer before them, and generally get nicely established before the 
autumn arrives. Orchids imported in the autumn usually take a long time _ 
