August 1921.] 
THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CULTURAL NOTES. 
H. G. Alexander, Orchid 
Lt.-Col. Sir George Holi 
m ILTONIAS.—The vexillaria family is the most showy and popular 
of this genus, and the plants are mostly vigorous and very floriferous 
under good treatment. They are restless Orchids, frequently starting into 
growth again after a very short rest following their flowering and the 
completion of their pseudo-bulbs. Any necessary repotting is best done 
as soon as new growth commences, shifting into larger pots or pans any 
young vigorous plants that require more root space, with as little root 
•disturbance as possible, while exhausted specimens are best broken up and 
started anew. A plant may remain in the same pot for two years, therefore 
the best potting material should be used. Osmunda or ai fibre, Polypodium 
fibre and sphagnum, in equal parts, makes a suitable potting compost. The 
new receptacles should be well drained, and in no case should the plants 
be overpotted. Potting should be done moderately firmly and the plants 
surfaced with a mixture of hard fibre one part, to two parts of sphagnum. 
Afterwards they should be staged together in a house where an inter¬ 
mediate temperature is maintained, and shaded from strong sunshine. The 
water supply during the early stages of growth is a very important item ; 
an occasional light watering with a can to which a fine rose is affixed will 
keep the rooting material sufficiently moist, providing the house is kept 
moist, and the plants frequently sprayed over on fine days when the air is 
hot and dry. Small yellow thrips often attack the succulent young growths 
unless checked by occasionally spraying the plants in the evening with 
«ome approved insecticide. 
Ccelogyne. —The species asperata, Dayana, and Massangeana, are 
remarkable Orchids that produce a fine effect when the plants are well 
flowered, as the graceful racemes present an appearance quite distinct from 
other members of the genus. These three species have much the same 
habit, but the last named is not quite such a strong grower as the others, 
and will succeed in less heat than is necessary for them, an intermediate 
temperature suiting it best. The best time to repot these plants is in the 
*arly spring, when they first show signs of activity, but they do not like 
very frequent disturbance, and will not require it, provided good rooting 
material is employed at the repotting. The strong and free growing kinds 
require good-size receptacles provided with ample drainage, and the plants 
are best cultivated in shallow pans or baskets suspended from the roof 
rafters under moderate shade. When well established, they require copious 
supplies of water during the growing season, but during the winter, when 
