8 



ORCHIDS. 



grow, after the resting season ; they do not need so much 

 drainage as epiphytes. The compost I use for them is 

 imfj loam chopped into pieces about the size of a walnut, 

 leaf-mould, and a little rotten cow-dung; these are all 

 mLx:ed well together. The plants require a good-sized pot ; 

 put about two inches of drainage at the bottom, on that a 

 layer of moss, then some of the rough peat, and finish with 

 the compost above-mentioned ; place the plant one inch 

 below the rim of the pot; water sparingly at first, but 

 when the plants are about six inches high they may have a 

 good supply. 



Treatment of Fresh-imported Plants. 



These, when unpacked, should be sponged over every 

 leaf and bulb, and all the old decayed parts taken 

 away. There are many insects that will harbour in them, 

 such as the cockroach, and the different kinds of scale, 

 which are great enemies. When they are clean they 

 should be laid on dry moss and placed in some shady part 

 of the house, where it is rather cool and diy. Too much 

 hght, heat, and moisture at first is injurious to them. 

 The moss should be gTadually moistened, and when they 

 begin to grow and make roots they should be potted or put 

 on blocks or in baskets, but care should be taken not to 

 have the pots too large ; over-potting is dangerous. 



As soon as they begin to gi'ow, those which come from 

 the hotter parts of India should be put at the warmest end 

 of the house, but they should not have too much moisture 

 at first : those which come from the more temperate re- 

 gions should be kept at the coolest part of the house, and 

 they should not be allowed to stand under any drip, as this 

 frequently rots the young shoots as soon as they appear. 

 Such plants as Vandas, Saccolabiums, derides, Angrcecums, 

 PhalcBjiojms, are fastened on blocks as soon as they are 



