Marcu, 1922.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 83 
thirds good fitrous loam, and the remainder leaf-soil, chopped sphagnum: 
moss, coarse silver sand, and finely-crushed crocks, the whole being well 
mixed. The compost, when prepared, should be laid a few days previous 
to use in a suitable place to get warmed through. Before repotting, shake 
out the old soil, and shorten back the roots on the bulbs to about two: 
inches ; this portion will help to keep the plants firm until new roots obtain: 
a hold of the fresh compost. I prefer to pot them singly in clean pots, 
about five or six inches in size for the strongest, and proportionately smaller 
ones for the others. Good drainage is necessary, the pots being rather more’ 
than a third filled with clean crocks, placing over these a layer of beech or 
oak leaves, which will prevent the drainage being choked, and will also: 
assist in building up the plant later when the roots get down to them. In 
filling the pots, the soil should be shaken down moderately firm to about 
two inches from the top, then place the pseudo-bulb on the surface, adding 
more soil so that its base and the growth are just covered. This will leave 
about an inch of space, which will allow a little top-dressing of fibrous loam 
and dry cow-manure later on when the plants become established. After 
potting, place the plants in their growing quarters, which should be a light 
position near the glass in the warmest house. Very little water will be 
required until the new roots make their appearance through the soil, when 
throughout the growing season they should not suffer from want of water. 
The season of growth is not a long one, and if good. spikes of flowers are’ 
desired the plants must be treated liberally, as on the size and firmness of 
the bulbs depend the quality of the bloom. When growth is completed in 
the autumn the leaves gradually ripen and fall off, but until the flower 
spikes appear the plants should have plenty of moisture. As the blooms 
expand, water should be gradually reduced until most of them. are fully 
open, when the giving of water may cease. 
THUNIAS may be attended to this month. The compost should be of 
a loose, open kind, osmunda fibre, fibrous loam, and sphagnum moss, with 
the addition of crushed crocks will be found suitable. Pot firmly, placing 
about four strong pseudo-bulbs in a 32-size pot. These make nice, graceful. 
plants for decorative purposes ; give water with care until the plants become 
well rooted, when copious supplies may be given. Whilst growing, they 
require plenty of heat and moisture, as well as sunshine. These conditions 
are conducive to short, stout pseudo-bulbs and free flowering. 
DENbDROBIUMS.—Many of the plants which have flowered earlier will by 
the end of the month be in a-sufficiently advanced state of growth for 
Tepotting to be taken in hand. The best time is when roots are pushing 
from the base of the new growth. Some of the stronger growing varieties 
Should be left over until root action is in evidence, for the chances of losing 
the young growth by rotting-off will then be considerably reduced. The 
