596 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Imported plants may be potted up as soon as received, but it 

 is as well to use only crocks to secure the plants until rooting 

 commences ; the top crocks may then be removed and replaced 

 by the material advised above. Sticks sufficiently strong 

 should be affixed, so that the plants may be held in position 

 until they have become established in the potting material. 

 This plan also adds to the neatness and appearance of the 

 plants if carefully done. Very little water is required at the 



roots when the plants 

 first arrive — only suffi- 

 cient should be given 

 to maintain the bulbs in 

 a plump condition — 

 but after rooting has 

 commenced they may 

 be more liberally 

 treated. 



As regards procuring 

 Cattleyas, the most satis- 

 factory and interesting 

 way is to buy imported 

 plants. The majority of 

 species grow and flower 

 freely for a few years, 

 often under most un- 

 favourable conditions ; 

 so that those inclined 

 will be enabled to ascer- 

 tain during that period 

 the requirements neces- 

 sary for their successful 

 culture. There is also a 

 great amount of interest 

 to be derived from 

 watching the plants 

 develop their growths : 

 this increases after 



Fig. 377.— Cypripedium callosum maturity, and when the 



Sandeeje. flowers are out of the 



sheaths, each one being 

 anxiously watched in the expectation of forms of sterling . 

 merit making their appearance. Such forms are just as 

 likely to turn up with the humble buyer as they are in 

 experienced hands, for no one can tell what a particular 

 plant may turn out until it flowers. It has been my good 

 fortune to procure a white form of Cattleya labiata^ as imported^ 

 for less than ids., which has already realised considerably over 

 100 guineas. 



