JUNE, 1922.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 183 
CULTURAL. NOTES. 
By J. MacKay, ORCHID GROWER TO JAMES J. Joicky, Esq, THE HILL,. 
WITLEY, SURREY. 
HE increase. of sunlight during the last few weeks has had a beneficial 
effect on Orchids generally. The majority of our plants are in active 
growth, and it will be necessary to devote our energies during the next few 
months in promoting healthy growing conditions, and to make the most of 
the short growing season. The temperatures during the next month or two: 
will be readily maintained without the aid of much fire heat, although this 
should always be available in case of sudden cold changes. It is well to- 
remember that the temperatures and the condition of the atmosphere are 
important items in procuring healthy growth and ripened pseudobulbs. If 
these are well regulated by judicious ventilation and shading, the plants kept 
clean, and the compost in good condition, robust and healthy growth will 
be the desired result. It is somewhat difficult to lay down any hard or fast 
rule, as conditions vary more or less in different localities, and it is these 
conditions which have to be studied with regard to plant houses, up-to-date, 
or otherwise, and to adopt a treatment in accordance with them. The 
successful grower is one who studies his plants in this way, and will not be 
satisfied until the required details for each particular plant to be grown 
have been carried out. 
Ana@crocuiLus and the allied genera Macopes, HaMaria, and 
GoopyERa constitute a very beautiful group of variegated Orchids. They 
are grown chiefly for their singularly rich and beautifully marked foliage. 
Although not so popular to-day as years ago, I saw a few pans recently, and . 
short note on their requirements will not be out of place. As regards cultiva- 
tion the plants are not difficult to manage, being of dwarf, compact ssioatlag 
they are best grown in shallow pans in a compost of sandy peat and sphagnum 
moss with broken charcoal intermixed. Put several plants in a wen PF. 
twelve-inch pan and cover with a bell-glass, which helps to set the plants “ai 
to advantage and greatly increases the delicacy and richness of the foliage. 
They should be grown in the warmest house, and air given them by tilting 
the glass one or two inches daily ; keep them shaded from the direct rays. 
ofthe sun. Give a sharp look out for attacks of red-spider or thrip, paints 
Wise the foliage will soon be disfigured. A good time to repot _ 
end of February or beginning of March, and it is best to repot them 
every year, 
Mexican Laas, such as L. ANCEPS and varieties, 
AUTUMNALIs and L. Gowspiaata, are now growing freely, but, like a good 
many more Orchids from the cooler regions of Mexico, they have been 
nd 
doomed to slow but certain destruction through keeping them too hot a 
together with oe 
