FEBRUARY, 1922.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 55 
CULTURAL .NOTES. 
By J. MACKAY, ORCHID GROWER TO JAMES J. JOICEY, EsQ., THE HILL, 
WITLEY, SURREY. 
ITH the advance of the present month we can safely say we are past 
the worst of the dull winter period. This being the case, it is not 
unreasonable to expect a corresponding increase of light and sunshine. 
This will have a tendency to gradually encourage activity amongst the 
plants in the way of flowerand new growth. They should, however, not be 
unduly excited into growth by increase of temperature and moisture, 
everything in this direction should be done gradually, or the result will be 
far from satisfactory. The weather conditions cannot yet be relied upon. A 
spell of mild, spring-like weather may quickly be followed by a sharp nip of 
winter. During the daytime, with the increased sunshine, the temperatures 
will rise, and providing there is sufficient air and moisture to balance 
matters, this will do no harm. At the same time, avoid letting the hot 
water pipes become too warm, and with the appearance of continued 
sunshine, prevent any excess of fire heat, a most unnecessary evil at this 
time. With regard to ventilation of the houses, care is necessary to avoid 
draughts, for bright sunshine is often accompanied by very cold winds. 
The busy season with regard to repotting will very soon be with us again, 
and on the way this operation is performed will depend the future health of 
the plant. When repotting is decided upon, the best time for this operation 
is when new growth or root action is commencing from the base of the 
growth of pseudobulb. It is always necessary to use clean receptacles, 
either pots or pans will suit most plants, whilst a few are better grown in 
baskets. The drainage or crocking of these should be done in such a way 
that the material or compost will remain sweet and porous, and therefore 
not liable to become water-logged and sour. The various materials, such as’ 
At fibre, osmunda fibre, good fibrous loam, and sphagnum moss, should be’ 
got together. These form the principal mediums for most plants, and may 
be used and mixed according to directions in future cultural notes. The 
compost should be well mixed before using, and, when potting, work the 
material carefully .between the roots, making sure that these are not 
cramped together in one place, but distributed regularly about the 
receptacle. It will be found necessary to fix some plants firmly whilst 
repotting, and in this case the stems should be secured by neat sticks, or if 
the plant is grown in a pan or basket, to the wire suspenders. The length 
of time that the compost of a newly potted plant will last in a sweet, 
healthy condition depends greatly on the quality of the compost used and 
the method of watering adopted, together with perfect drainage. Never 
saturate the new compost immediately on repotting, but rather gently spray 
