284 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[September, 1913. 
a comparatively long period. The so-called 
business-like method of going through a house 
and potting every plant, no matter in what 
condition of growth, or in what state the 
compost is in, cannot, in these advanced days 
of culture, be too severely condemned. Every 
plant should be carefully examined, and those 
requiring immediate attention selected for 
the day's work. Many plants will not 
produce their new growths until several 
weeks have elapsed, and, consequently, need 
not be attended to until a later period, for, 
with the exception of December and January, 
it matters little at what time of the year 
re-potting actually takes place, the chief 
factor to ensure success in the operation being 
the right condition of the new growth. 
The old method of potting consisted of 
carefully packing the compost so that its 
centre remained several inches above the 
level of the pot. The plant was thus placed 
on the top of the driest portion of the 
compost, and often died for want of water. 
This treatment might suit a very few of the 
Brassavola type of plants, but it is totally 
unsuitable for Odontoglossums. All the 
best results have been obtained when the 
surface of the compost is kept just beneath 
the top of the pot. By this means there is 
every chance of the roots obtaining sufficient 
moisture when water is applied. 
Care should always be taken that the plant 
is not buried too deeply in the compost. 
The new growth is very likely to damp off 
when the compost is brought round it at too 
high a point. The plant should be in such 
a position that the part from which the new 
roots push forth is just covered by the 
surface of the compost. In the actual potting, 
it will be found best to first commence by 
working in the compost round the plant, 
then pressing it fairly firmly and making all 
secure by inserting the remainder along the 
edge of the pot. This will be found a better 
way than pushing in the last portion of the 
compost near the plant, for when so done there 
is much likelihood of the roots being broken. 
It is by no means easy to acquire the art 
of potting Orchids by merely reading printed 
directions ; there are so many competent 
men in various parts of the country that it 
is a comparatively easy matter to obtain 
tuition in a practical way, and amateurs will 
find it much to their advantage to obtain all 
the practical advice possible. If a few visits 
to one of the large trade growers can be 
arranged so much the better, for they are 
always willing to assist anyone and render 
the best advice to beginners. 
With regard to the future treatment of 
newly-potted plants. One of the most 
frequent errors among amateurs is the belief 
that plants after disturbance of their roots 
require an extra amount of water to prevent 
the bulbs from shrivelling and the leaves 
from flagging. There is no need whatever 
for this additional moisture, which, more often 
than not, is the cause of the compost 
becoming sour and quite unfit for the new 
roots to penetrate. All newly-potted plants 
should be kept for a few weeks in a shady 
and moist situation, and the foliage be lightly 
sprayed once or twice a day with rain-water. 
Very little ill effects will then be noticed, and 
the leaves will not be lost, as often occurs 
when plants are placed in too dry and 
draughty an atmosphere. The state of the 
compost should be moist, but not sodden in 
any way. The sphagnum moss will always 
serve as a good guide in this matter, for when 
dry it assumes a white appearance, and when 
wet the colour is green. A suitable condition 
of the compost will be obtained by giving 
just sufficient water to prevent the moss from 
losing its green nature. When the plants 
are rooting freely in the compost then slightly 
more water may be given, but care must 
always be taken that an excess does not 
cause sourness, and consequent ill-health of 
the plant. 
Although every inducement should be 
given the plants to make as much growth 
as possible before the dullest of the winter 
months, one cannot too strongly advise 
amateurs to refrain from attempting anything 
of a forcing nature by excess of heat or other 
means in connection with the cultivation of 
Odontoglossums. The finest flower spikes 
are always produced from plants that have 
made a healthy and steady growth under cool 
