174 
ORCHIDS. 
while in that state, of course there can be no danger of any un¬ 
healthy action : it imparts to the plant an agreeable amount of 
moisture, and so far as appearance is concerned, instead of 
detracting from the beauty of the orchids, as is the case with 
the disagreeable colour of the sphagnum, it certainly contributes 
no small share by its bright and pleasing freshness. The re¬ 
maining points in the process of shifting are so extremely simple, 
that it is not necessary to insist on anything more than the 
necessity of securing an ample drainage, the importance of which 
cannot be too strongly impressed on the mind, for though orchids 
delight in an abundance of moisture at certain seasons, yet 
nothing is more fatal to them at any time than an accumulation 
of stagnant water, either in pots or baskets. It is advisable to 
place a thin piece of peat in the bottom of each basket, with the 
grass side downwards, this prevents in a great measure the 
escape of small particles of dirt, which, falling through the 
mixture in the baskets on to the plants beneath, often causes bad 
consequences, and are at least very unsightly. 
It is a very good plan to stage all the plants that are showing 
flowers, as a good look out is then necessary to prevent the 
ravages of insects ; the young flower spikes are a great temptation 
to these depredators, and unless well watched in their infancy, 
are often lost: but as soon as the flowers have decayed, such 
plants as grow in baskets should be again elevated to start them 
into a rapid growth. By suspending them in the highest part of 
the house an advantage is gained in the extra ten degrees of 
temperature always observable there, but great attention is 
required to keep them sufficiently moist. The daily range of 
temperature in this, the most active part of the growing season, 
may be stated to begin at 70°, the power of the sun advances it 
by 10 a.m. to 80 or 85°; the lights are opened and a thorough 
ventilation takes place, with air enough to remove all moisture 
hanging about, and indeed to dry the plants, which may be 
deemed highly essential once a day. At 5 p.m. the house is 
closed, the shading removed, and the plants well watered and 
syringed, after which the temperature rises rapidly for an hour 
or two, the thermometer often indicating 95 or 100°, but the 
great heat at this part of the day is unattended with any danger 
of burning the plants, and indeed serves to economise fire heat. 
