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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
different kinds of Epiphytes is in good, rough fibrous peat, and 
sphagnum moss ; after this, a layer of moss is applied, then fill up 
with peat. This should be broken into lumps about the size of a 
hen’s egg ; I always use broken potsherds or charcoal mixed with 
the peat. The plants should be elevated above the rim of the pot 
two or three inches, taking care to have all the pseudo-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 on the pot. 
After the plants are potted, 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 without injuring the roots. Be careful not to give too 
much water at first ; but after the plants begin to make more root, 
they may 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, pro- 
bably, the plant will require shifting 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 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 require wood to grow upon should have moss attached to the 
blocks, if by experience they are found to require it ; some, how- 
ever, do better on bare blocks ; but then they need more moisture, 
as they are then entirely dependent on what is obtained from the 
atmosphere. In fastening them firmly on the blocks, have some 
copper nails, and drive them into the block, then with copper wire 
secure the plants firmly in the wood. As soon as they make fresh 
roots they will cling to the block, and the wire may be taken away. 
Terrestrial orchids require a stronger compost than the epiphytal 
kinds. They should be potted just when they begin to grow, after 
the resting season ; they do not need so much drainage as Epiphytes. 
The compost I use for them is turfy loam, chopped into pieces about 
the size of a walnut, leaf-mould, and a little rotten cow-dung ; these 
are all mixed 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. 
