THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[March, 1913. 
more of the oldest bulbs. If these forthwith 
commence tc shrivel it is a sure !-,ign that the\- 
have been deprived of their source of nutri- 
ment. In other words, it gives good proof 
that the\- have been living upon the newer 
and well-rooted portion. From these facts it 
IS easy to infer that their connection with the 
leading growth must have been prejudicial. 
Now if these old bulbs were well supplied 
with active roots they could easily maintain 
themselves in plump condition, but their rapid 
shrivelling proves conclusively that thev are 
without these organs of nutrition. The 
removal of these old bulbs effectually discon- 
tinues the serious drain which they make upon 
the newly-formed portion, with the result that 
the roots are able to give the whole of their 
power to support the recentl}- made bulbs and 
to nourish the new growth. 
If, however, the old bulbs which have been 
separated remain m a plump condition we 
have evidence that they are self-supporting in 
their manner of life, and are not likel\- to 
visibly injure the new growth. In some plants 
it is quite possible that the roots still attached 
to the old bulbs are extremely vigorous, and 
when so they ma\- be able to give extra 
assistance to the new growth. In these cases, 
which are exxeptional, it would not be good 
policy to divide the plant. 
The foregoing remarks appl\- more especially 
to plants which have been under cultivation 
for a period of four or more years. Let us 
now consider more intimately examples from 
recently imported plants. For the first feu- 
months, sometimes as long as a year, the large 
supply of reserve material in the bulbs greatly 
assists the new growth, and it is more than 
probable that this nutriment having been 
collected in the plant's natural home is more 
suitable than that made under artificial con- 
ditions. Orchid growers frequently notice 
how strongly made are some of the new 
growths produced from recently imported 
plants. They are full of native vigour is a 
common expression. 
Now the new growth requires a con- 
siderable amount of this reserve food for its 
completion, most of which is taken from the 
old bulbs. In due course roots are emitted 
from the newly-made bulb, and these have 
not only to suppl\- it with food but have also 
the great task of replenishing the shrivelled 
back bulbs. The question then arises : Is it 
necessary that these old bulbs should be 
resuscitated ? Ha\ e they not answered their 
purpose in supph ing the new growth with 
food until such time as it is able to make new 
roots and gather its own? Their lemoval at 
this period would enable the whole of the 
nutriment secured by the roots to go to the 
formation of the new growth, an occurrence 
which must result in a stronger plant being 
produced. Old bulbs when once they have lost 
their store of food seek every opportunit)' to 
replenish it, and the first chance they have is 
when the new growth commences root action. 
These old members of the plant thus steal the 
food intendecl for the young generation. 
Orchidists are well aware of *he fact that 
they cannot often obtain an abundance of 
flower and rapid enlargement of the plant 
during the same year. One must give place 
to the other. Everyone knows full well that 
if the flowers are cut soon after opening very 
little loss of vigour to the plant will result. 
But there are occasions, as, for instance, 
important exhibitions, when the flowers are 
required to last in perfection for many days, 
and frequently have to be kept for a week or 
more until the appointed date. With such 
great events it is usual for considerable 
preparations to be made. Plants are often 
selected a year or more in advance and grown 
purposely for the occasion. Here we have a 
special use for plants which have not been 
divided. The more storage capacity they 
ha\ e so much the longer will they be able to 
continue the supply of food to the open 
flowers, and, consequentl) , so much the longer 
will the blossoms last in perfection. It will 
thus readih' be seen that old bulbs, so long as 
they are healthy, may be utilised to act as 
reservoirs for collecting the nutrim.ent formed 
during an extensive period of culture, such 
a reserve amount of food being absolutely 
necessar\- when unusual and lengthy periods 
of floral display are required. 
