48 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and may be used for almost any description of orchid. They are especially suitable 

 for stanhopeas and acinetas, that push their spikes downward through the compost. 

 Copper wire only is suitable, iron, even if galvanised, soon rusting in the moist heat of 

 an orchid house. 



Blocks. — These are either plain or trellised, the latter style being often termed 

 " rafts." Plain flat pieces of teak are useful for establishing dendrobiums of various 

 kinds upon, while rough pieces of apple, pear, or birch, are advised by some growers. 

 Such plants as the Mexican laelias, or the dwarf evergreen dendrobiums, such as D. 

 aggregatum or D. Jenkinsi, have a natural and pleasing appearance when grown in that 

 way, but the treatment means extra work in watering. Tree- 

 fern stems cut into various lengths make excellent blocks, 

 many orchids that are very difficult to grow in other ways 

 being quite at home upon them. The lselias, mentioned 

 above, some of the weaker-growing cattlej^as, oncidiums, and 

 zygopetalums of the rostratum section, are a few instances of 

 orchids that do well in that way. 



Sundry Eeqitisites. — Labels are necessary, and should be 

 as neat and inconspicuous as possible. The " ivorine " disc 

 label, Fig. 21, is a promising article, and is in every way 

 suited to the requirements of orchidists. Wood labels are 

 often clumsy, and liable to decay. If some descriptions of 

 wood are used they encourage a troublesome fungus that 

 rapidly spreads through the compost, to the serious detriment 

 of the roots. Use good, well-seasoned, red deal or yellow pine. 

 The same may be said of stakes. These should be neat yet 

 Fig. 21. "Ivorine" Label- strong, and kept out of sight as much as possible when sup- 



West's Patent. 



porting the plants. Murray's patent orchid stand is a very 

 useful appliance, designed for elevating plants where necessary. It is made in various 

 sizes, is neat, strong, and practically indestructible ; it insures the free circulation of 

 air about the roots of the plants, and does not encourage fungus or harbour insects. 

 For tying, Cuba bass tightly twisted is superior to raffia, as it lasts much longer in 

 the heat. 



Composts. — The principal materials used for orchid composts are peat, sphagnum 

 moss, loam, and charcoal. The peat should be thinly cut and stacked in a dry place 



