4 
142 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [May, 1906, 
In choosing a pot every regard must be paid to the size of the plant, | 
and the condition in which it is in as to health and roots, and no regard — 
paid to the pot in which it has been growing. Very often a plant requires 
to be put into a smaller pot than the one in which it has been. If the 
plant is large and well rooted a little liberality may be allowed in the size of — 
the pot, but err by using a pot too small than one too large. As recom- 
mended last month, fill the plant two-thirds full of rhizomes—a little less 
probably if the plant is extra well rooted—-that have been chopped up into 
pieces an inch or two long, first placing one large crock over the bottom of 
pot. The rhizomes must be rammed tightly with the flat end of the potting 
stick. Having trimmed the plant, as recently described, take it in the left 
hand and select a good lump of peat with the right, which place up against 
the rhizome, allowing the roots to hang round it; then lower the plant on — 
to the rhizomes, working the roots round the sides of the pot and under- 
neath the lump of peat. Next rama stick through to the bottom of the — 
pot, and tie the plant up, so that both hands may be free to complete the work 
of potting. Work with the fingers the compost in among the roots until 
the centre is fairly well packed, and then fill in loosely, and work down 
with the potting stick. Press the compost down the sides of the pot and 
in, and don’t be afraid to press. There will be no fear of bruising a root, as 
long as it is not actually squeezed with the point of the stick, and take 
that risk. Finish with alternate pieces of peat and moss, working from the 
centre of the pot towards the rim. When finished, the last back pseudo- : 
bulb should be near the edge of the pot, the growing space being in front 
of the lead, and the lead on a level with the rim of the pot. Each succeed- — 
ing bulb will rise a little, so that when flowering the lead will be above. ig 
one has to deal with a very small plant, use crocks instead of rhizomes, and E 
if in bad health, give very little compost. ; 
SuRFAcING.—In surfacing we have got to judge by the appearance 
of the plant and the compost, and also the size of the pot, whether they 4 
will go on another year. One can sometimes press the plant back, making 
more room for the lead without further root disturbance than on one side 
of the pot. The space thus made can be filled in with fresh material, and 
the plant will have felt little or no check. Personally I am a very 
surfacer. Starting off with the best intentions in the world, I find myself 
digging deeper and deeper, until out must come the plant. This is; of 
Course, a constitutional weakness on my part, and there is no doubt but that 
surfacing is sometimes most useful. eo 
The hot weather and the harsh dryness of the East winds are liveninS 
up the insect pests, and I would refer readers to the January Calendar 
directions how to deal with them. Thrips are beginning to be particularly 
active. 
