Q. 
Is there any solution for “dry sepal’?P is 
A. Poor potting or sudden changes in weather conditions as is common during 
Q. 
A. 
the fall months, over-watering, high temperatures at night, or excessive tem- 
peratures by day—all can be causes of dry sepals and general poor flower 
texture. In such cases the sepals dry almost as soon as the flower opens, and the 
rest of the flower will be poor and soon wither. Another type of dry sepals is 
that in which the sepals dry right away, but the rest of the flower remains of 
good texture for a long time. While improved potting and culture will help a 
great deal in the first type, this last may be an inherited condition. If it occurs 
year after year on the same plant, even if the plant is in good shape and grows 
vigorously, it may be that the plant is not worth keeping. Dry sepals are a prob- 
lem with many growers, and turn many hopes into disappointments. Except for 
the inherited type, the condition is certainly a cultural one. Work is being done 
in an attempt to sift out the factors, and there may be some helpful information 
soon. In the meantime, we have seen many a plant improve with good, hard 
potting, careful watering, cool night temperatures, etc., so that this alone may 
solve your problem. (See supplementary question on Page 8.) 
Should you cut off pseudobulbs when they lose their leaves? 
There is no reason to cut them off, except at repotting time, unless they become 
decayed. However, if the back pseudobulb or two become dry and shriveled 
and detract from the appearance of the plant, they may be removed. There is 
a movement of food minerals out of old plant parts into the younger ones, so 
even a leafless pseudobulb contributes to the nourishment of the plant for a 
while. 
(11) 
