310 
THE FLORIST. 
culture I shall presently recommend, it will be found not only a free- 
growing plant but also a profuse bloomer ; indeed, with three or four 
plants, and attention to vary their seasons of growth, &c., a succession 
of bloom may be secured throughout the whole year. 
Phalsenopsis grandiflora is found rather abundantly in Java—it is, 
however, local even there; for while many species of Orchids grow 
plentifully in most parts of that island, this plant is confined principally 
to the southern valleys, and is most abundant near the sea-shore, thus 
indicating a peculiarity of constitution which must not be overlooked by 
the cultivator. Like most East Indian Orchids, this one is found natu¬ 
rally to attach itself to rocks, trees, &c., thus suggesting the idea of 
employing a similar material in our plant-houses. 
It was, I believe, an established opinion during the early period of 
Orchid culture, that all—with the exception of a few terrestrial species 
—must be attached to blocks of wood, and that by a constant supply of 
moisture to the atmosphere, by syringing, &c., the climax of Orchid 
culture was obtained. This system, however, has to a certain extent 
exploded, and I may ask where were such Aerides, Vandas, Sacco- 
labiums, Cattleyas, &c., produced by that system as are now to be seen 
in every collection of any pretension ? Now, although this is an esta¬ 
blished fact with regard to many species, yet there are several in our 
collections which are still cultivated on the old plan, and I am not 
prepared to say that all may or should be potted. The plant under 
notice is one which is frequently found growing and flowering tolerably 
freely on both plans, when in the hands of those who know its nature. 
My objection to placing the Phalsenopsis on blocks of wood is that the 
roots, being much exposed to the action of the atmosphere, are more 
influenced by its variations than pot plants are; even with the best 
attention the atmosphere is apt to become dry during the summer, 
when the sun is more powerful and air admitted in abundance; under 
such circumstances, plants solely dependent for their supply of food 
from the atmosphere must suffer—they become more or less dry and 
flaccid, growth is arrested for the time, and the plants do not attain so 
large a size. The objection to potting is said to be that the roots 
being surrounded by a mass of material, which is apt to become soured 
by unskilful watering, will ultimately ruin them. This I admit 
is true; but it is to this paiticular point I would direct attention, 
and I would contend that larger specimens may be obtained than by 
placing the plants on blocks of wood. 
In potting, the base of the plant should be elevated above the rim of 
the pot, which should be half filled with broken pots or charcoal, or a 
smaller pot inverted inside; by this means good drainage will be 
secured, and there will be less risk of the mass becoming stagnated. 
The pot should now be filled with a mixture of charcoal, Water Moss 
(Sphagnum obtusifoliiim), and potsherds, placing a layer of Moss on 
the surface, which will have a neat appearance. The plant should now 
be placed in rather a cool situation—say 60^—when it will soon com¬ 
mence to make fresh roots, and with an increase of temperature will 
grow freely. Attention must be paid not to over-water at this stage, 
and it is necessary frequently to examine the material with the hand. 
