588 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



must also be kept in a humid condition during the season of 

 activity by constantly syringing the plants overhead in bright 

 weather, and by continually damping the floors and staging. As 

 they require strong light to properly mature their growths, only 

 sufficient shading is necessary to prevent scorching of the foliage. 

 I have always found it best to remove the plants from their 

 quarters, as soon as the growths are sufficiently matured, to drier 

 and cooler positions. This prevents premature growth, enables 

 the plants to ripen their growths properly, and so prepares them 

 for the flowering season. 



The best season for repotting is directly after the flowers 

 have been removed. The receptacles should be only just large 

 enough to properly hold the plants, so that as little compost as 

 possible may be used (only sufficient to properly secure the 

 plants is needed), the compost consisting of one part of fibrous 

 peat and two parts of sphagnum. Plenty of drainage and a 

 few broken crocks are desirable to keep the compost in a sweet 

 and porous condition. After potting the plants should be 

 thoroughly wetted, which will be sufficient to sustain them for 

 some time. Too much moisture at the roots must be avoided 

 until the new growths get well away and the young roots appear, 



when they re- 

 quire more 

 liberal treat- 

 ment. 



The number 

 of desirable 

 species and 

 hybrids are so 

 great that I 

 would advise 

 those desirous 

 of forming a 

 collection to 

 visit some of 

 the large nur- 

 series during 

 the months of 

 February, 

 March, April, 

 and May. They 

 will then be 

 able to select 

 such forms as 



may suit their taste. Fig. 369 represents D. Dea?'ei, which may 

 faithfully be termed a perpetual grower, and must therefore be 

 treated accordingly. The flowers are pure white, except the base 

 of the lip, which is pale green. This species lasts several months 



Fig. 370. — Dendrobium formosum giganteum. 



i 



