SEPTEMBER, 1923.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 281 
. CULTURAL NOTES. 
2 By J..COLLIER, Gardener to SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN, Bart., Gatton Park, Reigate. 
S gitcmae ces AND ODONTIODAS.—These useful cool growing 
plants are greatly appreciated by all growers and lovers of Orchids, 
the species O. crispum and O. Pescatorei being special favourites. Many 
finely coloured hybrids have been introduced during recent years, mainly 
through crossing and inter-crossing the above named species with O. 
Harryanum and Cochlioda Neezliana, etc. Where a large collection of these 
plants is cultivated there are at all seasons many plants in various stages of 
development, and still some in bloom. Plants that flowered early in the 
year are making new growths, and young roots will be pushing freely from 
their base. Although individual plants may be re-potted at almost any 
_ time of the year, the late summer and early autumn is regarded as the best 
season for the general overhauling of the plants, and for giving fresh rooting 
material to those that require it, the moist atmospheric conditions and 
cooler nights being of great assistance to the re-establishment of the plants 
after root disturbance. In re-potting, it is essential that the pots be well 
drained to ensure a free passage of water; overpotting should at all times 
be avoided. No hard and fast rule can be laid down. Vigorous plants 
may be afforded larger receptacles than those that have become weakened 
by over-flowering and other causes; any such should be turned out of their 
pots and, when thoroughly cleansed, placed in pots as small as possible. 
For a month or two after re-potting it is a critical time with these plants, 
they should be watered very carefully, a surface sprinkling with a fine rose 
can will often suffice, and the plants should be placed together in the 
shadiest part of the house. The stronger plants that have been shifted on 
into larger pots without involving a large amount of root disturbance may 
be afforded rather larger supplies of water. Others that are still in a 
dormant condition should not be disturbed by re-potting until the new 
growths have grown a few inches high. Specimens which are growing and 
have sufficient rooting space for another season, if the compost is good, 
May remain undisturbed, but some of the old materials may be carefully 
Picked from the surface and replaced with new; this will be a great aid to 
the young roots. A good rooting medium for Odontoglossums consists of 
short pieces of Osmunda-fibre and A1-fibre in equal proportions, with an 
addition of chopped sphagnum-moss and crushed crocks ; the whole should 
be well incorporated. Seedling Odontoglossums in their various stages of 
gtowth should be potted on as they require it, and be kept growing if 
possible at all seasons until they reach the flowering stage. As a rooting 
compost an equal proportion of half-decayed oak leaves may be —_— to 
the mixture mentioned for the older plants, and it should not be potted mine 
