October, 1921.] 
THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CULTURAL NOTE 
By H. G. Alexander, Orchid Grower to Lt-Col. Sir George Holford, 
K.C.V.O., Westonbirt. 
C HE brilliant weather of this never-to-be-forgotten summer, which con¬ 
tinued up to the second week in September—the time of writing—has- 
been ideal for all sun-loving Orchids that enjoy warm air and bright sun¬ 
shine. In this area we have lately experienced many days of continuous- 
sunshine from a sky entirely unflected by cloud, and the thermometer ha& 
mounted to mid-summer levels, the proximity of autumn being betrayed' 
only by the cool morning mists. This favourable season should result in 
strong solid growth that may reasonably be expected to produce satisfactory 
flower-spikes; moreover, the beneficial effects upon many Orchids may be 
looked for next year in new growth of greater vigour than usual. With the 
shortening days and the decreasing influence of the sun, much less shading, 
will be needed. It is impossible to give precise directions as to diminishing; 
the shading in autumn, much depending on the aspect of the house and the 
arrangement of the plants, and to the genera to which the plants belong. 
By the end of September, the foliage of all Orchids should be sufficiently 
hard to need but very little protection from the sun, the roller blinds only 
being required during the middle hours of the day when the sun shines very 
brightly, and then they should not be allowed to remain down longer than- 
is absolutely necessary. The aim of the cultivator should be to. make the 
most of the sunshine at this season, so as to thoroughly harden the growths 
of all Orchids, thus enabling the plants to pass safely through the winter. 
Directly the blinds can be dispensed with, they should be taken down and 
dried thoroughly before putting them in store for the winter, making a noter 
of any that require repairing or replacing for next season. Supplying water 
to the roots also requires much more judgment now than when all the 
plants were in active growth; Orchids cannot be treated collectively in this 
respect. The habits of the various kinds, the state of the growth, and the 
condition of each plant must be separately considered, and the treatment 
varied accordingly. Many of the larger, distichous-leaved Orchids are still 
growing freely, and require plenty of moisture till the roots show, by the 
white film closing over the points, that their season of rest is at hand. 
After this, less water will be needed until in winter only sufficient should 
be given to keep both roots and foliage in a plump, healthy condition. In 
the case of pseudobulbous Orchids that are now fast completing their 
season’s growth, it is a mistake to withhold or lessen the water supply too 
suddenly, as the roots of many kinds are most active just when the pseudo¬ 
bulbs are swelling. There should be less damping-down than hitherto, as 
the weather at this season promotes good atmospheric conditions withiiv 
