city and allow for full light to all plants on any part of the bench. Water- 
ing and general care are also ‘simpler. 
DISEASES, INSECT PESTS and CONTROL. Under cultivation Orchid 
plants are relatively clean in comparison with other foliage and flowering 
plants. If thrip or red spider are in evidence in the greenhouse, they might 
attack the young growths and it is important that other surrounding plants 
be kept clean. Orchid scale is quite common, but not really serious and being 
easily seen is. quite as easily removed. We make a practice of spraying our 
plants about every three to four weeks with an effective insecticide. 
POTTING. The divisions “Potting,” is a very important sub-heading of 
culture. In this remark we refer specifically to the Cattleya family and its 
hybrids. However, in all cases the physical fundamentals of potting are 
similar even though composts and degrees of firmness vary. 
Use only the best grades of materials, clean of foreign matter. A good 
fresh Osmunda (Orchid peat) fibre is tough and will not readily pull apart. 
Wihen in storage for long periods it loses its life, turns brittle and should not 
be used. Sphagnum moss when specified should be a good quality, live ma- 
terial. 
TIME TO POT. There is no set time or season for potting. So long as 
Orchids flower in ‘all seasons of the year, then, so long they must be potted 
in all seasons. We do make certain exceptions as in the case of winter 
flowering Cattleya Species. After flowering they are dormant and while in 
this stage may be left until spring, provided root growth does not start. This 
is not so with the majority of hybrids, as they grow continuously and should 
be repotted immediately the flowers are cut. Do not wait until new roots 
appear as they are very likely to be injured or destroyed when repotted. 
A well established root system is essential for good strong plant growth. 
SELECTING PLANTS TO BE REPOTTED. Orchid planits should not be 
repotted unless they have: (A) Outgrown their present receptacle; (B) Com- 
post decayed or sour; (C) Plant is in unhealthy condition, possibly caused 
by faulty drainage, etc. 
MAKING READY COMPOST. Afiter selecting the plant to be repotted, 
one should make ready the recommended suitable compost. In the case of 
Cattleyas and their hybrids we recommend a stnaight compost of a good 
grade Osmunda (Orchid peat) Fibre. 
REMOVING FROM POTS, CLEANING, ETC. The knife blade should 
be inserted in several places around the edge of the pot and the plant wedged 
out. All exterior roots should be carefully trimmed off close to the compost 
and if the material is decayed or sour, it should be removed and all the de- 
cayed roots trimmed off as well as all crocks removed. In cases where the 
compost has decayed or soured, one will usually find some good material sur- 
rounding the front of the plant with an established root system. This ball 
of good material and roots should be left undisturbed except for trimming. 
In cases of merely shifting a plant to a larger size pot because it has out- 
grown ‘its present size, and the compost is in good condition, it is not neces- 
sary to remove any material. All plants should be thoroughly cleaned be- 
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