ON ORCHIDS. 



575 



sufficient should be given to keep the plants from shrivelling 

 and in a plump condition. This season of rest is when most of 

 the Eastern sections of Orchids require the greatest care. I 

 may be permitted to point out here that when alluding to plants 

 resting (speaking of Orchids in general) I do not mean that 

 they are to be cast on one side or placed on a shelf and to 

 be subjected to the barbarous practice of being kept without 

 water for an indefinite period. My experience has led me to 

 believe that for resting purposes there is nothing like a low, dry 

 temperature, which can be well maintained without injury to 



Fig. 359. — Vanda Sanderiana. 



the plants ; better growths can be procured, and far more 

 satisfactory results obtained as regards flowering under the latter 

 conditions. 



The best season for potting or top-dressing Vandas is at the 

 end of February or the beginning of March. It is not desirable 

 to repot plants of this section oftener than is really necessary. 

 Only those that have become leggy and unsightly through loss 

 of their basal foliage need shifting ; under such circumstances the 

 plants should be cut dow^n, so that the basal leaves may be 

 brought within a desirable distance from the rim of the pot. 



