ON ORCHIDS. 



S8i 



largest of the section ; and S. Harrisonianum (now regarded as a 

 variety of S. violaceiim), with pure white flowers, are all worthy of 

 consideration. The whole section is suitable for basket culture. 



Phal^nopsis. — These are far more frequently met with in 

 perfection in stoves growing with other plants, where there 'is no 

 pretension to cultivating Orchids, than in places where there are 

 valuable collections. In fact, in very few indeed of our 

 prominent collections do we find the plants in a satisfactory 

 condition. From an incident that happened in the collection 

 of which I have charge I have come to the conclusion that the 

 principal difficulty as regards their culture is to find a position 

 suitable to their requirements. If this can be done there is 

 no need for manuring, special appliances, or cultural skill to 

 attain desirable results. This may be gathered from the following 

 facts : Five years ago the plants of Phalaenopsis under my care 

 were in such a dilapidated state that I suggested to my employer 

 to either dispose of them or allow me to remove them to another 

 house, for they had lost leaves as fast as they made them, while 

 others were cut asunder where they had been attacked by the 

 dreaded "spot," so fatal to this genus. It was decided to try 

 them in another house, to which they were all immediately 

 removed, with the exception of two plants which had no leaves 

 on, but still showed some life in the crowns. These were hung 

 on one of the crossbars of the roof, more to be out of sight 

 than for any other reason, as very little hope was entertained of 

 their recovery. The bulk of the plants removed did not seem 

 to make much progress in their new quarters, but to my 

 surprise one day, when looking through the plants in the old 

 house, I discovered that both those left hanging had started 

 into active growth, one having broken afresh with two growths. 

 These went on so satisfactorily that ultimately it was decided 

 to bring the whole of the plants back again, and to suspend 

 them from the roof, they having previously been arranged on 

 the staging, not more, in many cases, than a few inches below 

 where they at present hang. The result has been that they 

 have gone on satisfactorily ever since, and are now one of the 

 chief features of the collection. No special treatment in any 

 way is adopted with them ; they are dipped in a pail of water 

 when they require moisture at the roots. A temperature is 

 maintained with fire-heat in summer from yodeg. to 75deg. Fahr., 

 and in winter to 65deg. The potting, or top-dressing, as may 

 be required, is done in May, as the plants then begin to show 

 signs of activity, using for the purpose good living sphagnum 

 moss. The plants are not rebasketed oftener than is really 

 necessary, it being sufficient, providing the basket is sound, to 

 remove all decayed material and replace it with new, pressing 

 the same firm with a pointed stick. After they have been so 

 treated they are thoroughly soaked with soft rain-water, and 



