like having root action disturbed and do not want repotting each year, and 
three rules generally cover this: (1) When the compost decays or becomes 
sonr, (2) if the plant is not thriving, due perhaps to faulty drainage, (3) 
or when they have outgrown their pots. 
New pots should be thoroughly soaked prior to using, and old ones 
thoroughly cleaned. Using a five-inch pot as an example, increase the drain¬ 
age hole to about one inch in diameter with the head of a hammer. Place a 
large piece of crock over this hole and fill the pot with potsherds to about 
two inches. This is recommended proportionately for all pots. All orchids 
should be potted very firmly. Use a sharp pointed hard wood potting stick 
and work the compost towards the center, packing it in as hard as you can. 
When finished off, compost should be about three-quarters of an inch from 
the top of the pot, then neatly trim with the shears all protruding pieces of 
fiber. 
Care should always be taken not to overpot, for if the compost 
remains wet in the center it causes the osmunda fiber to sour and decay, and 
rot the roots. All newdy potted plants should be kept on the dry side until 
root action begins. 
CATTLEYAS 
The best potting material for Cattleyas is osmunda fiber. With 
these and their allied genera, it is probably impossible to force the compost 
into the pot too firmly. Place the back bulb close up to the side of the pot 
so as to allow the leading growths plenty of room. Always plan to have a 
pot large enough to take two years’ growths. This can easily be estimated 
from previous growths. After potting, the plant should be staked. Gal¬ 
vanized wire is recommended, for if bamboo or wood is used, it will generally 
rot before time for repotting, and thus necessitate restaking. Cattleyas 
love the light and should have as much as possible short of direct solar in¬ 
fluence. 
CALANTHES 
The types listed in this catalog are deciduous and should be treated 
as bulbous plants. After flowering, the plant should be allowed to dry 
off until it begins to make its new growth. When the new growth is about 
one inch high and the young roots are starting to protrude, it is time to 
repot. The growing bulb may be carefully removed from the old one and 
repotted separately. This is recommended as giving better results than 
allowing the bulbs to grow on, several together. 
Calanthes require potting every year using one-half loam from 
turf and two parts peat. Drainage must be liberal but not to the extent 
given Cattleyas and epiphytal orchids. Water should be given with dis¬ 
cretion when first potted but as the pots fill with roots, it can be given more 
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