APRIL, 1918] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 85 
base. The old, dead roots may be cut off to within an inch or so, to form 
a support that will keep the plants steady until the young roots have a firm 
hold of the new compost. The pseudobulbs may be potted singly, or three 
or four large ones, or even five or six smaller ones, may be placed in a 
seven-inch pot. Perfect drainage is essential, and the compost should 
consist of half turfy yellow loam from which the earthy particles have been 
taken, one-fourth chopped At. fibre, and one-fourth dry cow dung, with a 
moderate quantity of live sphagnum moss, small crocks, and coarse silver 
sand. These materials should be well mixed together, and allowed to 
become warm before being used. When repotting, the compost should be 
made moderately firm, allowing sufficient space for a top-dressing at a later 
period when the plants have become thoroughly established and are growing 
rapidly. For several weeks after repotting the plants will require little or 
no water, until the new roots have freely entered the new material. Their 
surroundings should be kept moderately moist by damping between the 
pots occasionally. When the roots have got thoroughly hold of the new 
material, and the growths have made considerable progress, abundance of 
water is required. 
DENDROBIUMS.—The species and numerous hybrids of this important 
genus have for some time formed a prominent feature in many collections, 
and a house of well grown plants makes a delightful picture. As the plants 
emit new roots quickly when the growths are a few inches high, those that 
need repotting should be attended to as speedily as possible after their 
flowers have faded. When repotting well established plants, root disturbance 
should be avoided as much as possible, but the old decomposed material 
must be removed. Unless the old material is removed, there is danger of 
the centre of the compost becoming a sour decomposed mass, and the centre 
bulbs decaying from loss of roots, and this means the breaking up of speci- 
men plants into small ones, which is not to the credit of the grower. It is 
an easy matter to grow smaller plants, and personally I do not advocate the 
breaking up of plants except when necessity demands it. Dendrobiums 
root freely in chopped At. fibre and sphagnum moss. Extreme care is 
necessary not to give too much water until the roots are moving freely in 
the new material. 
CATTLEYAS AND ALLIES.—In a representative collection of Cattleyas, 
Lelias, and allies, there will at all seasons be some that require attention as 
regards repotting, and this operation should be carried out when they are 
about to push new roots from the rhizome, the plants at that stage suffering 
the least possible check. If the routine laid down in the Orchid Review from 
time to time is carried out systematically, each plant getting attention at its 
proper season, they will soon speak for themselves by their healthy and 
robust condition. _ A clean fibrous compost, a buoyant atmosphere, and a 
