OllCIIIDS: now TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 67 



Intermediate House. — The tempcnitnre same as for January. 

 As the potting season will now be coining on, have a supply of 

 good fresh sphagnum moss ready for use, also some good fibrous 

 peat at hand when wanted, and mixed as I have already explained. 

 Have tie-up sticks ready of various lengths, and paint them green ; 

 and procure some clean leaves of trees ready for placing over the 

 liot-water pipes as previously recommended. Get plants cleaned, 

 ;ind look well to the Cattleyas for the ravages of scale, &c., 

 alluded to on page 41, and guard against thrip, especially on 

 Miltonia (Odontoglossum) Yexillarium, by dusting tobacco powder 

 into the young gi'owths. 



Warm House.— JVie temperature to he maintained the same as 

 last month. 

 Phahenopsis may now be attended to, and a fresh supply of 

 tree leaves given over the pipes. Let a sufficient quantity of fresh 

 air be admitted with care daily, avoiding cold dj-aughts which 

 would check growth and produce other evils. Should the Orchid 

 houses form a range and open one into the other, ventilation can be 

 obtained at this time of the year by opening the doors, and if it can 

 ])e managed, air from the cool house should pass on to the warm 

 house through the open doors. Cockroaches congregate mostly in 

 tliis house and should be poisoned. 



March. 



Cool House. — Temperature, day with snn, 63°; day without sun, 60°; 

 niyhf, 55°: morning, oO\ 

 Continue the watchfidness in general matters. The days are 

 now gradually lengthening and the light stronger, and watering 

 at the roots may now be increased without so much fear of bad 

 results following. See also that the roller blinds are fixed on the 

 house early in the month so as to be ready for use, as it is best not 

 to expose Cool house Orchids to sudden bursts of bright sunshine 

 ut first, as it sometimes causes an excess of bronze tinted colours in 

 the foliage of Odontoglossums, which in a modified way is not so 

 objectionable, as it indicates sturdy health from being kept hardy 

 and from exposure, but it is not well to have too much of it, as 

 it sometimes leads to a loss of foliage. Ventilate freely on all 

 suitable occasions, both night and day, but beware of piercing east 



