IMPORTED PLANTS 



conveniently be used. It is not necessary to use broken 

 crocks for drainage, a more suitable substitute being 

 found in the bracken rhizomes found in the peat ; this 

 may be broken in pieces or twisted around the bottom 

 of the pot to about an inch in depth. A good general 

 compost for potting Odontoglossums consists of equal 

 parts of good fibrous peat and freshly gathered sphagnum 

 moss, with the addition of a moderate quantity of finely 

 broken crocks. Pot the plants firmly, as one would a 

 hard-wooded greenhouse plant, and when finishing off 

 the operation keep a quantity of the live heads of the 

 moss on the surface, so that in a short time the top of 

 the pot will possess a living covering. After potting, 

 keep the atmosphere cool and fairly moist, shade from 

 direct sunshine, and afford but light waterings until 

 each plant has become firmly rooted. After the first 

 growth is formed and new growth has recommenced, the 

 plants should be at once transferred to larger pots. 



It is but natural that enthusiastic growers, who have 

 imported plants, are anxious to see their flowers, and 

 to ascertain if there are any spotted varieties among their 

 purchases. I would caution them against allowing the 

 spikes to remain on too long, as is sometimes the case, 

 greatly to the detriment of the plants, causing the bulbs 

 to shrivel, and leaving them in such a debilitated con- 

 dition that they are scarcely able to form new growths, 

 and often gradually dwindle away. Undoubtedly it 

 conduces greatly to the health of all Orchids if their 

 flower spikes are cut off after a reasonable length of 

 time. The flower spikes of Odontoglossums may be 

 stood in water in the cool house, or used for indoor 

 decoration, where they will retain their beauty for several 

 weeks. Small or weakly plants invariably suffer if 

 allowed to bloom at all, consequently it is advisable to 

 remove most of the buds, leaving just one or two to 

 open for the determination of the variety : as soon as 



