MATEEIALS FOR TEERESTRIAL ORCHIDS. 



7 



bulbs above the soil ; then put some peat on the top of the 

 roots so as to cover them, employing a few small pegs to 

 keep the soil firmly in the pot. After the plants are pot- 

 ted I fix a stick in the centre of the plant, to keep it firm. 

 In shifting, I carefully shake off all the old soil I can ^^ith- 

 out injming the roots, and am careful not to give too much 

 water at first ; but after the plants begin to make more 

 root, they have a good supply. The best material for 

 those in baskets is sphagnum moss and broken potsherds. 

 The basket should suit the size of the plant ; but do not 

 have it too large, for it will not last more than two or three 

 years, at which time, probably, the plant will require shift 

 ing into a larger one. There should be placed a layer of 

 moss at the bottom of the basket, then a few potsherds, 

 then fill up with moss and potsherds mixed. Take the 

 plants carefully out of the old basket without breaking the 

 roots, shake off all the old moss, place the plant on the new 

 material, about level with the top of the basket ; put a stick 

 in the centre, to keep it firm, and finish by giving a gentle 

 watering. 



Those plants that reqmre wood to grow upon should 

 have moss attached to the blocks, if by experience they are 

 found to require it; some, however, do better on bare 

 blocks, but they need more moisture, as they are then 

 entirely dependent on what is obtained from tlie atmo- 

 sphere. In fastening them firmly on the blocks, have some 

 copper nails and drive them into the block : then, with cop- 

 per wire, secm'e the plants firmly to the wood. As soon as 

 they make fresh roots they will cling to the block, and the 

 wire may be taken away. 



The Material for Terrestrial Orchids. 



These require a stronger compost than the epiphytical 

 kinds. They should be. potted just when they begin to 



