218 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (JULY, 1923. 
CULTURAL NOTES. \ 
By J. CoLiier, Gardener to SIR: JEREMIAH COLMAN, Bart., Gatton Park, Reigate. 
S arule the general work of repotting Orchids will be near completion, 
but where a miscellaneous collection is grown, there are at all seasons 
certain species and hybrids that have recently passed out of flower and will 
need overhauling at the roots, among which may be mentioned Sobralias. 
These plants are vigorous and easily grown; they produce thick fleshy 
roots, and are somewhat impatient of too frequent root disturbance. In 
repotting, they should be afforded rather a retentive compost. The pots 
or pans should be well drained, and the rooting medium may consist of 
three parts good fibrous loam broken up rather roughly, and one part AI 
or osmunda fibre, with a sufficient quantity of crushed crocks and coarse 
silver sand to ensure porosity. Pot moderately firm, and when the work 
is finished the base of the plant should be a little below the rim of the pot. 
Newly potted plants should be-watered carefully until the new roots have 
grown into the compost. Other examples that do not require repotting, 
and have well filled their pots with roots, will need plenty of water during 
the summer months, and may be assisted with a watering once or twice 
each week with a weak solution of cow manure while they are growing 
freely. Sobralias thrive well in a moist shady position in an intermediate 
temperature. Being subject to attacks of red spider, they should be 
syringed freely on all favourable occasions, taking care to wet the under- 
sides of the leaves. The foliage should also be sponged occasionally with 
a suitable insecticide. 
EPIDENDRUM PRISMATOCARPUM.—As plants of this species pass their 
flowering period they should be given attention at the roots. Specimens 
that have become pot-bound, and overgrown their rooting space, should be 
taken out of their pots, the back pseudobulbs cut away, leaving only two or 
three behind each leading growth, afterwards placing several together in 
moderate-sized pans. Make the soil firmsaround the rhizomes, and arrange 
them so that two or three of the leading growths point to the centre, thus 
making a well-balanced specimen. Plants that do not require repotting 
will be benefited by having some of the old materials removed from the 
surface and given a top-dressing. For a few weeks after repotting, keep 
the soil rather dry, but whenever moisture is applied give a thorough 
soaking, taking care that water does not lodge in the centre of the young 
growth. The plants grow well in the coolest and lightest part of the Cattleya 
house. 
EPIDENDRUM BICORNUTUM (Diacrum bicornutum).—Plants of this 
species and its hybrids will soon be making fresh growth, and as soon aS 
-new roots develop from the base the plants may be repotted if necessary- 
