December, 1921.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CULTURAL NOTES. 
By H. G. Alexander, Orchid Grower to Lt.-Cgl. Sir George Holford, K.C.V.O. 
Westonbirt. 
S EASONABLE REMARKS.—December is the most sunless month of 
the year, for the days are the shortest. During the winter quarter, 
which we are about to enter, the principal difficulty we have to contend 
with in Orchid cultivation is the changeableness of our climate. Very 
wintry weather prevails over a large part of the kingdom at the time of 
writing, and unusually severe frost for so early a period in the season is being 
experienced in many districts. The changes in the weather occur so 
suddenly, that often there is little time to prepare for them, hence watch¬ 
fulness is necessary for changes in the wind, cold rains and snowfalls, which 
lower the atmospheric temperature in glasshouses more rapidly than sudden 
frosts. There ought always to be a good radiating surface in every Orchid 
house, to avoid that very serious evil of overheating the pipes during 
severe weather in order to maintain the desired temperature, for the well¬ 
being of the plants during winter, depends largely on the heating apparatus 
and careful stoking. There is little doubt but that in many Orchid houses 
the temperatures maintained in w'inter are higher than necessary, yet, while 
guarding against excess of fire-heat, it is equally foolish to employ too little 
artificial warmth. During winter more harm will often result from a 
stagnant atmosphere in mild weather, than from a lower temperature in 
severe weather, hence the absolute necessity of reasonably employing 
the heating apparatus at all times to circulate the air. 
Temperatures.— Last month I advised preparing for winter by 
reducing the temperatures in all the houses a few degrees by night, and also 
by day in the absence of sunheat. The winter night temperatures should 
be kept somewhat as follows:—Warmest divisions, 60 to 65 degrees; 
Gattleya or Intermediate houses, 55 to 60 degrees; Cool Intermediate 
houses, 54 to 58 degrees; Cool or Odontoglossum houses, 50 to 54 degrees; 
and during severe weather no harm will occur if the temperatures should 
fall a few degrees lower than even the minimum given. During the day 
time a rise of 5 to 10 degrees should be permitted, according to the outside 
weather conditions. 
Drip. —This is a common source of danger to Orchids, and at this 
season of the year it is most injurious; therefore every care should be taken 
to prevent it. Condensed moisture from the rafters will sometimes drip 
down into the compost, or worse still, into the hearts of the plants. In 
winter this water is very cold, and many a plant has been ruined by it. 
Drip does not show its effects upon any plant as soon as one would expect. 
in fact some plants may grow freely for a time, but eventually there is 
deterioration, if the plants are not actually killed. During winter all plants 
