ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. Ill 



In the Intermediate house, however, it grows without difficulty, and it 

 should be repotted after flowering, generally about the end of May, 

 and once in two years is often enough for doing so, taking care not to 

 over pot. After repotting, water very carefully, keeping the compost 

 just moist and the plants a little more shaded for five or six weeks, 

 after which water may be applied with greater freedom ; although, as 

 in the case of Lycaste Skinneri, it is always best to have the plant kept 

 in too dry a condition rather than too wet, especially during winter, 

 and should there be any doubt as to the plant wanting water, wait a 

 day or so until quite sure on this point. The points of the leaves of 

 this species have a peculiar habit of decaying, especially under wrong 

 treatment, either from being too wet at the roots or from too cold a 

 temperature, and this indication commences at the apex by the 

 formation of a watery spot, which should be pierced with the point of a 

 knife, or cut clean away, otherwise it extends in a downward direction. 

 The yellow thrip is a natural enemy to this plant, and if allowed to 

 ravage unimpeded soon work great destruction, but they are easily 

 exterminated by dusting tobacco powder down the axils of the new 

 growth. It thrives best when grown in pots, which should be placed 

 on the stage at the warm end of the Intermediate house and well up to 

 the light, or it may also be suspended in a light and airy position, but 

 not in a direct draught from the ventilator, but where there is a free 

 circulation of pure air, with treatment as before recommended, then 

 free growth is generally assured to this beautiful Orchid. 



The best potting material is sphagnum moss and fibrous peat, in 

 equal proportions, with a small quantity of small broken knobs of 

 charcoal mixed in. A variety named "rubellum" has small flowers 

 and blooms at a later date, but is by no means so pretty as the original 

 species, M. vexillaria, which also varies in form and colour in different 

 plants ; the almost white, as well as the darkest and richest coloured, 

 being the most valued. A little weak manure water is beneficial. 



This plant is best purchased in an established state, as it is found 

 difficult to import it in good condition, and two years are generally 

 required to get such plants established. 



Good strong plants can be purchased at from os. to 7s. 6d. per 

 leading growth. 



SOBRALIA MACBANTHA. From Guatemala. 



This is a very handsome free growing species, and a healthy plant, 

 properly treated, soon grows into a large specimen, producing a 

 number of flowers. It is best grown in a pot, 'which should be drained 

 with rough crocks to one-third of its depth, and over this a thin layer 

 of sphagnum, and good strong turfy loam, adding a little coarse sand 

 and broken charcoal, to ensure a porous compost and drainage. It 

 should be potted as recommended for Cymbidium eburneum, leaving 



