The Garden Under Glass

THE BEST FLOWERING PLANTS 87 be bought from most nurserymen, but certainly from Messrs Wood & Sons of Wood Green. Sphagnum moss may also be obtained in this way, though it may also be often found growing in swampy woods in the neighbour-hood. This is the only kind of moss which will live and grow under these conditions, and it furnishes a valuable guide to watering, for whenever it appears of a whitish colour water may be given to the plants (provided, of course,theyarein activegrowth). Fibrous peat,two parts, sphagnum moss, one part, and a fair admixture of charcoal will pro ve a suitable compost for cattleyas. It needs to be added that all fern roots must be removed from the peat. The live ones must be thrown aside, but the dry, dead ones may well be used for putting at the bottom of the compost when potting instead of so many crocks. It is usual to mound the compost above the rim of the pot, as cattleyas do not need a lot of water. Rarely will the same plant need watering more than twice a week. Syringing between the plants—not overhead—should be done twice a day. Shading is advised from hot sunshine. When the leaves begin to feel warm let the blinds be dropped. They do not need shading to so great an extent as odontoglossums. The temperature at night should be about 600 and ventilation be given to prevent too rapid a rise by day. A point which I would like to emphasise with regard to cattleyas is that they be kept clean by frequent sponging, for the leaves very quickly get dirty. Plants which are freshly imported should have all dead roots trimmed off, the plants be well washed, stood on a layer of moist stones, crocks, ashes or coke, and be frequently syringed until roots are thrown out. Not until the roots are an inch or more in length should they be potted up.