September, 1915.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



279 



fibrous nature, well broken up to remove 

 the dust, and incorporated with chopped 

 sphagnum and broken charcoal at the rate of 

 two parts of peat to one part of moss and 

 charcoal. 



The [lots should be two-thu'ds filled with 

 clean crocks, with a covering of sphagnum to 

 keep the drainage open ; then add the 

 compost fairly firmly. The plant ought to be 

 so placed that the new growth is as nearly as 

 possible in the centre of the pot ; small sticks 

 or fine copper-wire pegs should be used to 

 hold it in position until established. When 

 the operation is completed the base of the 

 pseudo-bulbs must be slightly bedded in the 

 potting mixture, which ought to be about 

 level with the rim of the pot in the centre and 

 half an inch below it at the edge. A few 

 pieces of live sphagnum should then be 

 inserted in the surface, as when in growth it 

 helps to keep the material sweet, adds to the 

 neatness of appearance, and acts as a guide 

 ill watering. Rain water, when obtainable, 

 should be exclusively used. 



After potting stand the plants m a cool, 

 shaded position in the house and damp 

 between the pots to maintain a moist 

 atmosphere. An occasional light syringing 

 of the surface of the compost and the plants 

 themselves on sunny days will be all the 

 watering required until root action becomes 

 vigorous. The most scrupulous care must be 

 exercised that no moisture remains in the 

 young growths, especially during cold and 

 damp weather, or they will almost certainly 

 damp off. Air must be admitted on all 

 favourable occasions during mild weather to 

 encourage firm foliage and pseudo-bulbs. 

 For this purpose bottom ventilators are 

 preferable to those in the roof, because the 

 too frequent use of the latter permits the 

 escape of the essential atmospheric moisture. 

 The growing period extends from about July 

 to March, and liberal supplies of water must 

 be given as required, which, during fine 

 weather, may often be daily. 



When the plants are finishing their growths 

 the primary aim must be to ensure perfect 

 ripening, and to that end air ought to be 

 admitted freely yet with judgment ; let them, 



too, have as much light as possible short of 

 exposing them to very bright sunshine. This 

 treatment will go far to induce that plump, 

 firm appearance of pseudo-bulbs and leaves 

 which bespeaks fine, strong flower-spikes. 

 Blinds are particularly useful at this stage, as 

 shading can then be used when absolutely 

 necessary ; the possessor of such an important 

 and desirable accessory has a great advantage 

 over his less favoured confrere who has to 

 have either all shade or none. 



Small or half-formed pseudo-bulbs should 

 not be allowed to carry large spikes, if they 

 form them, and it is advisable to reduce the 

 buds to about three or four in some cases, 

 while total removal should be the rule in the 

 case of very weak growths ; even with strong 

 growths the spike ought to be cut as soon as 

 the plant shows signs of shrivelling. 



Mr. J. W. Forsyth's Essay. 



The following useful information is 

 extracted from an essay contributed by Mr. 

 J. W. Forsyth, The Gardens, Markyate Celt, 

 near Dunstable. 



Opinions differ greatly as to the compost. 

 At one period quite a craze existed to pot the 

 plants in leaf-soil, peat and sand, which, 

 needless to say, meant disaster. I find 

 the following material excellent and can 

 recommend it with every confidence. Mix 

 thoroughly two and a half parts each of 

 polypodium fibre and best quality fibrous 

 peat, remove the sticks, chop, and remove the 

 dust by means of a sieve ; four parts chopped 

 sphagnum moss, one part oak leaves (dry). 

 The oak leaves should be gathered by hand 

 in the autumn and stored in an airy place to 

 dry ; when required they should be rubbed 

 through a half-inch sieve. Add also a good 

 sprinkling of coarse silver sand, some small 

 crocks and charcoal. 



September is the best time to re-pot, for 

 then the plants commence to make new roots. 

 Do not delay potting until the roots are too 

 long, or much damage will occur. The best 

 method of potting is to use a sharp-pointed 

 bamboo stick, about 7 inches long ; avoid 

 pressing the compost downwards with the 



