42 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



the roots will find out when the plants are well established, 

 and it will assist strong growth. Pot the bulbs firmly, 

 and leave about half an inch of space from the rim of the 

 pot. This space may be filled up with a top dressing of 

 fibrous loam when the plants are about half way through 

 the season's growth. At that time a number of young 

 fibrous roots will appear on the surface, and readily 

 enter and appreciate the additional compost. The critical 

 time with Calanthes is after repotting, until they become 

 established. They require no water for several weeks, 

 merely damping between the pots twice or thrice daily. 

 When the growths show signs of progress, slightly 

 sprinkle the surface of the soil occasionally with a fine- 

 rosed watering can, and as the growths increase in 

 strength gradually increase the amount of water. If 

 the compost becomes unduly moist at this juncture, 

 before the roots are in full activity, the tips of the young 

 growths are liable to turn black, and the health of the 

 plants to be impaired. When the plants are firmly 

 rooted and the growths in full vigour, an abundance of 

 water may be afforded alternately with weak liquid 

 cow-manure. As the new bulbs approach maturity, 

 and the leaves begin to turn yellow, the amount of 

 water must be gradually reduced and liquid manure 

 discontinued altogether. When the leaves have fallen 

 and the flower spikes appear, very little water is needed 

 for their development. After the spikes are cut, water 

 must be withheld entirely, and the plants put on a dry 

 shelf in the same house in which they were cultivated. 



Coming from one of the hottest regions of the globe, 

 these Calanthes require the temperature of the East 

 Indian house, in which they should have a very light 

 position. Many gardeners grow these plants to great 

 perfection in pine stoves and cucumber houses. 



The following species and hybrids would make a 

 good selection : — C. be/la f C. Bryan, C. Cooksoni, C. Harrisi, 



