January 31.] 
kept from frost all tho winter, and then planted out, 
in a frame or pit, in April, in light sandy loam and 
peat, with a substratum of rotten dung, encouraged 
to grow by watering; abundance of air by removing 
the glass in fine weather, and taken up and potted 
in the end of autumn, many of the tubers being 
large enough to bloom in three or four-inch pots the 
following winter, R. Fish. 
HOTHOUSE DEPAETMENT. 
EXOTIC ORCIIIDACEAb 
Routine Work for February. —As the days be¬ 
come longer, and the sun shines more frequently, the 
orchids will require rather more heat and moisture. 
Such plants as Phaius grandifolius and P. Wallichii, 
which will now be both growing and flowering, and, 
as in that state they are thirsty subjects, give them 
abundance of water. If not already potted, lose no 
time in performing that operation. Calanthe vera- 
trifolia is a plant of similar habit, requiring the 
same soil; and will, also, now be shewing its spikes of 
lovely white blossoms. This will also require more 
water. The soil these plants require is a compost of 
fibrous loam, sandy peat, and leaf-mould, in equal 
parts. The pots must be well-drained, but not to 
such extent as the Cattleyas, Oncidiums, and other 
kindred genera require. As these plants are of the 
terrestrial class, or plants that grow on the ground, 
they must be potted in the ordinary way, that is, the 
pots should not be filled with the compost quite up 
to the brim. About half an inch short of that will 
be the right height. They will then hold more 
water, and the earth will receive, when watered, a 
proper quantity of that element to support and en¬ 
courage the free healthy growth of the plants. The 
orchids, generally, may be potted this month with 
advantage, as the increased heat and moisture will 
cause them to begin to grow freely. The method of 
potting the epiphytes (those growing on trees) we 
have already described,* which, if our readers have 
followed, they will already have practiced to some 
extent. 
Cleansing the Leaves. —The importance of keeping 
the leaves of all plants clean we have already hinted 
at, and orchids are no exceptions to the general rule. 
Now, especially, is a good time to wash the leaves 
and pseudo-bulbs of these plants. The cultivator 
will find, on examining them—more especially such 
plants as Aerides, Saccolabiums, Vandas , Stanhopeas, 
and other plants that are hung up in baskets, or on 
logs—that the leaves are covered sometimes with a 
kind of green scum. This is, we suppose, a kind of 
green fungus, or, perhaps, a minute moss. Now, 
this substance, be what it may, is very injurious to 
the plants—stopping up the pores, and preventing 
the healthy action of their breathing, or taking in 
and giving out peculiar gases. To be able to per¬ 
form these functions without hindrance, is as neces¬ 
sary to a plant as to an animal. This shews the 
necessity of keeping the surface of the leaves clear 
of any impediment to this operation of daily and 
hourly breathings. In the open air, excepting in or 
near large towns, the heavy, long-continued showers 
of rain soften and finally wash of!' all obstructions; 
but in hothouses the case is very different; and 
though the syringing will partially prevent an accu¬ 
mulation of those hindrances to healthy breathing, 
yet it cannot be used in the orchid-house to a suffi¬ 
cient extent. In truth, the moisture consequent 
upon the very freo use of the syringe, if no other 
means are used, will help to increase tho evil, by 
235 
producing an atmosphere in which the green para¬ 
site will flourish best, and spread the more rapidly. 
The necessity, then, of cleansing the leaves, we have, 
we think, made apparent, and it only remains to de¬ 
scribe the means. What we do is tliis, we take down 
the plant from its high position; if the moss, or 
peat, whichever it may happen to be growing in, is 
dry, we give it a good soaking in the cistern, the 
water of which is at a temperature of 70°. Whilst it 
is soaking, all dead leaves are carefully removed, 
and every part of the plant is then thoroughly washed 
with a sponge. If the leaves are thick and leathery, 
tho sponge is rubbed over them several times with a 
heavy hand. In fact, it might be called a good 
scrubbing; being careful, of course, not to injure it. 
For more tender leaves, we have, very lately, used some¬ 
thing else. We observed that the sponge, though 
used ever so lightly on these tender, thin leaves, in¬ 
jured them slightly. Happening to observe a piece of 
thick leather, such as soldier’s belts are made of, it 
was taken and wrapt round the end of a small stick, 
fastening it firmly to it with some small copper wire, 
leaving half an inch of it projecting beyond the stick; 
it had then thejappearance of a brush made of leather. 
With this instrument the leaves were washed, and 
it was so soft and pliable that it did not injure the 
youngest or tenderest leaf, yet effectually washed the 
dust and dirt off from the leaves. This washing not 
only clears off the parasites, and any other obstruc¬ 
tion, but also destroys insects, particularly the red 
spider and black thrip, two of the most pernicious 
enemies to orchids. We have seen the loaves of 
Stanhopeas almost white with the bites, or, may be, 
the sucking or pumping of the sap out of them, 
rendering them sickly, and unable to perform then- 
duty of forming fine large bulbs, without which no 
flowers can be produced. Though we have men¬ 
tioned that the benefits of cleaning the leaves, either 
by the sponge or leather brush, are more especially 
felt by orchids that are hung up near the glass, on 
account of their being more out of the reach of the 
syringe, it does not follow that the other plants on 
the stages, or side platforms, do not require cleans¬ 
ing in the same way occasionally, although they can 
be more effectually washed with the syringe. Let 
these be sponged also this month, equally as well as 
those hanging up. Let every part of the plants be 
well cleansed—leaves, stems, and pseudo-bulbs. Not 
only will the plants look better, but they will be 
greatly benefited in their health. They will show 
their gratitude for the pains bestowed, by a renewed 
vigour of growth; and the natural consequence will 
follow;—they will, if properly rested, produce abun¬ 
dance of their beautiful flowers. 
Catesetums, Mormodes, Myanthus, and Cycnoches 
will now be at rest, and should be kept quite dry for 
a month or six weeks longer. They should be placed 
on a shelf near the glass, where they may escape the 
syringe, and have abundance of light, but no sun¬ 
shine. Examine them frequently, and as soon as 
any growing buds are perceived, let them be potted 
immediately, but not before. 
Steaming. —As tbe plants will now begin to grow, 
apply moisture vigorously, by syringing tho pipes 
and sides of the tanks, to create a genial, moist, 
growing atmosphere. This will assist them greatly. 
Wet the walks and paths every morning, and, when 
the sun shines, in the middle of the day also. 
Shading. —Towards the end of the month, the sun 
will most likely begin to be too powerful in the 
middle of tho day for orchids in the house. Should 
that be the case, it will be necessary to let the shades 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
