JANUARY, 1923] THE ORCHID. REVIEW. Ir 
CULTURAL NOTES. 
By J. CoLLier, Gardener to SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN, Bart. Gatton Park, Surrey. 
ITH the commencement of the New Year, the cultivator will be 
looking forward to brighter days that are so essential to the health 
of plant life generally, and Orchids in particular. The weather conditions. 
at this time of the year are apt to change quickly, which oftimes cause a 
difficulty in maintaining the desired temperatures in the houses, but the 
following readings should be aimed at as near as circumstances will permit : 
Odontoglossum or Cool House, 50° to 52° at night to 55° Fahr. during 
the middle of the day, with sun heat the thermometer may be allowed to- 
rise to 60°. Cattleya or Intermediate House, 60° at night to 65° Fahr. by 
day, rising to 68° by sun heat. East Indian or Warmest House, 65° at 
night to 75° during the middle of the day. 
A buoyant, moist atmosphere must be created in each house, by damping 
the stages and floors atleast once daily, but in this respect the grower 
should be guided by the amount of fire heat required to maintain the 
temperatures to the proper figure. The temperatures I have given should 
be governed more or less by the weather conditions. When it is extremely 
cold a degree or two below those mentioned will cause less harm to the 
plants than exvessive fire heat. The heat from the hot water system may 
be economised with advantage by utilising some protective covering over 
the roof exterior, but this should always be removed as early as possible in 
the morning, or it will form an obstruction to the light. When watering is 
necessary select, if. possible, a bright morning for the work, always 
remembering that careful watering is one of the main secrets of success in 
the culture of Orchids. At this particular period some plants may not look 
quite so robust as may be desired, their foliage looking rather more yellow 
than usual, and their pseudo-bulbs having become slightly shrivelled ; such 
plants should be watered with great care, keeping them on the dry side 
until new growth and root action recommences. If too much water is 
applied to those weakly plants the roots will decay and bring about disease 
of the leaves and pseudo-bulbs. 
Ventilation is essential on all favourable occasions, but discrimination must 
be exercised in the admission of air, so that no plant is placed in a draught, 
or this will prove most injurious; endeavour to admit air through the 
ventilators below the stage on the leeward side of the house. By the end 
of the month the washing down and cleansing of the houses should be 
completed, and before replacing the plants in their respective positions each 
one should be sponged with a suitable nicotine insecticide, taking care to 
dislodge any scale insects that may be present on the leaves and rhizomes. 
This overhauling of the plants will afford a favourable opportunity to 
