78 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (Marcu, 1914. 
CALANTHES.—These are no doubt largely grown in many establishments 
to supply an uninterrupted succession of flowers during the winter months. 
The flowering period begins in November with C. vestita rubro-oculata, 
juteo-oculata, and C. rosea. Then follow C. Veitchii, Harrisii, and other 
hybrids, with the Regnieri section producing a display about the present 
time. For the last few weeks the majority have been resting, and now isa 
_good time to purchase any new kinds. With the advent of March signs of 
life will be apparent, and when the new shoot is about an inch long the 
‘repotting must be done. I always like to repot just before root action 
-commences, then there is no fear of injuring the tender roots. All the old 
-exhausted soil and dead roots should be removed, and each pseudobulb 
must be examined for scale. 
Calanthes enjoy a richer and more retentive soil than most Orchids, and 
it should include three parts of the best fibrous loam, with the remainder 
made up of partly-decayed oak leaves, chopped sphagnum moss, coarse 
silver sand, and a sprinkling of finely-crushed crocks. Some cultivators 
incorporate a little bone meal, or dried cow-manure, which I think desirable 
when the loam is of poor quality. Good drainage is necessary, and pots SIX 
or eight inches in diameter prove a suitable size for five or six bulbs of 
average dimensions. There are growers who prefer to place the bulbs 
singly in receptacles of various sizes, a method which has its advantages, 
but where specimens are needed for the dwelling-house, a pot with several 
spikes is more useful. When repotting, the soil should be pressed 
moderately firm and brought to within an inch of the rim. i 
The orthodox Orchid house is not essential for Calanthe culture, in fact 
T have seen some grand examples grown in a melon or cucumber house of 
similar structure, while they are invariably free from the spot disease. 
After the repotting is completed a temperature of 65° to 70° is necessary, 
and very little water is needed for the first six weeks, or the tips of the 
young growths will turn black, and thereby impair the ‘health of the plant 
for the rest of the season. When the leaves begin to unfold the water 
supply can be increased, and from then onwards they must never suffer 
from dryness at the base. Plenty of light is needed, short of scorching the 
foliage, and the surroundings ought to be kept moist by occasionally 
‘damping the stages, &c., while’a little top and bottom ventilation will be 
beneficial whenever the elements warrant the o 
Care must be taken in this to avoid draughts. 
Disas.—Although this is not the proper season for repotting these 
charming terrestrial Orchids, no harm will accrue if small plants that have 
iljed their pots with roots are placed in others of a larger size. A suitable 
rooting medium is made up of loam, 
peat, and sphagnum moss in equal 
‘parts, as 
I have found that they do not thrive so well if osmunda Able = 
pening of the ventilators. 
