148 THE: ORCHID REVIEW. May, 1922. 
GULITURAL NOTES. 
By J. MacKay, ORCHID GROWER TO JAMES J. JoIcey, EsQ., THE HILL, 
WITLEY, SURREY. 
OST growers will find the present month both a busy and an inter- 
esting one, for there will be many plants to be potted, as well as 
numerous ones coming into flower. The enthusiast can enjoy many happy 
days attending to the various requirements of his plants that are producing 
their flower buds, watching and aiding their development. . This month is 
usually a very prolific one from the floral point of view. 
So far, we have not enjoyed a great amount of sunshine, and shading of 
the houses to any extent has not been much in evidence, yet one must 
expect the blinds to be in general use soon. They will require henceforth 
considerable attention, and if the plants have been arranged with fore- 
thought as to their requirements in the matter of light and shade, these 
duties will be much simplified. The majority of the plants recently potted 
are growing and rooting nicely, and with the abundant use of atmospheric 
moisture and judicious use of the ventilators they will be encouraged to 
make free healthy growth, without which no Orthid can be maintained in a 
satisfactory condition for long. The continued spell of cold east winds has 
not been favourable to the free use of the ventilators; however, when 
outstde conditions are favourable they should be used freely, taking care to 
avoid causing draughts, which are favourable to attacks of thrips, as well as 
being detrimental to the growth of the plants. 
Watering and spraying of the plants will also require considerable care 
and attention from now onwards. The requirements of each plant must be 
governed by the state of growth and the condition of the root action: those 
that are growing freely will require more frequent applications, whilst newly 
potted plants will need little direct watering beyond frequent spraying, and 
syringing between the pots. Flowering plants will require a fair amount of 
water whilst developing their spikes, the point to be considered being that 
the pseudobulbs are not allowed to shrivel, otherwise new growth will be 
greatly retarded from the commencement. I would here mention the 
necessity of removing the flower spikes within a reasonable time in order to 
relieve the plant of any undue strain. 
oe house a good many species, together with their various 
, ower this month, may afterwards need attention as regards 
efiioa mas Such species as C. Gaskelliana, C. Schrédere, C. Trian&, 
Cc. Percivaliana, C. Lawrenceana, C. labiata, and hybrids derived from these 
plants, will be making fresh growth and the roots will be active. The 
present 1s a suitable time to give them attention. The compost preferable 
consists of osmunda fibre and sphagnum moss, with the addition of crushed 
