Decej 
i 92 «,l THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Cypripediums we tried to shade by various methods of curtains inside, 
which we drew across when the full glare was on. 
The conservatory has a large lantern roof, and we found in the autumn 
a lot of condensation which caused drip, but as this was usually in well 
defined lines and places we got over the trouble by arranging the plants so 
that they escaped. A large beech tree shades one corner, and when the 
sun comes about S.S.W. there is a little grateful shade in that part of the 
house, and here Cymbidium Tracyanum, C. Lowianum and C. Sanderse, 
seem to revel and root and grow like weeds, giving many magnificent spikes 
of bloom. The Dendrobiums did not appear to like the conditions, and 
only, existed. But I am not sure that my husband did not add to their 
troubles. He has read somewhere, at some time, that they require drying 
off, and this he interprets by hanging them in the lantern roof when they 
finished their growth and until they are flabby and shrivelled. When they 
bloom in the spring he looks at them and wonders why they are so poor. 
However, he has now reformed, but more of this anon. I forgot to say it is 
very seldom during the year that he leaves home without an Orchid in his 
button-hole. 
Ccelogyne cristata also seems to have resented the move here. Maybe 
because we have not enough heat in the growing season, but more probably 
because it has so often been disturbed and pulled to pieces. It is now being 
given a rest until the bulbs are piled one on top of the other, in the hope 
that better results will be produced. 
Most of the plants now in the collection, about 250, have been bought 
during the last few years at the dispersal of various collections, and in most 
cases they have been in a parlous state. On arrival, we invariably shake 
them out of the pots, and give them a thorough washing and cleaning. 
They are then potted firmly in the smallest pot possible. We bought a lot 
of Laeliocattleyas two years ago that had been badly neglected, and treated 
them in this way, many being also divided. They are now a magnificent 
lot and have all made excellent bulbs and flowered. 
We have some woods quite close and where, in the autumn, we collect 
the bracken roots. In this material, which is very like Orchid peat, they 
have flourished. Some of the Lselias which came into our possession about 
four years ago were very, very sad, but we adopted the same methods, and 
this year the bulbs are magnificent. One bears a label stating: “ Laelia 
anceps Schroderse, part of the original plant brought from Mexico by Col. 
Godseff, 26 3/86, and sold by Messrs. Sanders to Mr. G. F. Smith, Studley 
House, 4/2/88.” Does anyone know this plant ? I am sure it deserves a 
special medal for having so long survived all the vicissitudes of this life. 
This year it has magnificent bulbs and spikes ; we are looking forward to 
seeing it bloom and hope it is a reward for four years’ care and attention. 
