Sept.-Oct., 1919.| THE ORCHID REVIEW. 161 
water should be given to prevent them from shrivelling, and a dry tempera- 
ture of about 60° will be almost their only requirements. 
CATTLEYAS AND ALLIES.—During the next few weeks the autumn- 
flowering members of this large group will make a great show, and the 
houses will be very gay. Owing to the adverse conditions of the past four 
or five seasons, it is difficult to realise the great strides that have been made 
in these beautiful plants. Whenever the autumn shows are resumed we 
may look for displays of flowers undreamt of a few years ago. Any 
Cattleyas, Lzliocattleyas, or other members of this large family, miay still 
have attention as regards repotting, provided the plants are pushing new 
roots. The usual Cattleya compost should be used, but until the new roots 
have freely entered the new material, care must be taken that only sufficient 
water is applied to the new compost to prevent the plant from shrivelling. 
It will be observed how quickly the roots develop, and ifthe plants are kept 
_ on the dry side during the winter months, the new growths will break away 
readily, and with increased vigour in the spring. 
Cympipiums.—Many of these useful autumn-flowering plants will, during 
the next few weeks, make ‘rapid progress in. the development of their blooms, 
Plants which are pushing up their spikes should have sufficient water at the 
roots to keep the compost moist, whilst such as are not showing may be 
kept on the dry side for some little time longer. The hybrids comprise a 
most interesting and beautiful class, which produce fine spikes of bloom, 
and as they last a considerable time, either as cut flowers or upon the 
plants, they are most useful. : 
Drsas.—The tuberous roots of these most attractive terrestrial Orchids 
are best repotted at this season, just as the new growths push up from the 
sides of the old flower spikes. The pots must be well drained, using a 
compost of equal portions of fibrous peat, osmunda fibre, and sphagnum 
moss, with a fair sprinkling of half-decayed leaves and course silver sand, 
or better still, powdered sand stone, all mixed thoroughly together. | 
Recently there has been considerable discussion in regard to the use of leaf 
soil as a compost for these delightful Orchids, but to my mind there is 
more in making suitable conditions for them in their growing and resting 
season than in the matter of compost, as they have been successfully grown 
in different materials. After repotting one watering should be given to 
settle the compost around them, and then for some time spraying O00 we 
twice a day, or even more, according to the outside conditions will suffice 
to keep them moist. The’ house in which they are grown must be reey 
ventilated, with only sufficient heat to keep frost away from them 1n cold 
weather. They delight in a cool, moist, airy position at all times, and 
green fly, and thrip must be continually guarded against, but fumigation: 
must not be attempted. 
