DECEMBER, 1916.} THE ORCHID REVIEW. 287 
Keep your pots clean, and sponge the plants occasionally with 
insecticide. Avoid herbaceous plants too near the house, as they breed 
thrips, which blow in. If thrip is troublesome, it is necessary to spray 
with insecticide or fumigate the house. 
Finally, never be backward in asking for information. Orchids are not 
difficult to grow when once on the right track, and this is not difficult to 
find when the facilities indicated are so freely open. W. 
¥| VANDA CG@ERULEA AT ASHTEAD PARK. ] 
EVERAL fine examples of Vanda ccerulea have recently bloomed in the 
collection of Pantia Ralli, Esq., Ashtead Park, Epsom, the strongest 
spikes bearing from fourteen to eighteen richly-coloured flowers, and about 
forty other plants are now producing flower-spikes, promising a fine display 
in a few weeks’ time. Their thriving character was mentioned in an 
account of the collection given in our June issue (p. 140), and we are now 
able to give a few details of the method of culture. 
The house in which they are grown is quite a small structure, span- 
roofed, having only two lights on each side of the roof, and well ventilated 
at both top and bottom. Altogether there are about roo well-grown sturdy 
specimens, the majority having been grown from small imported pieces. 
The plants are arranged on an open wood-work staging, and quite near to 
the roof glass, where they can obtain plenty of light and air, two elements 
which are essential in keeping the plants healthy and free from the well- 
known “spot ” which is so prevalent on this particular species, especially 
during the autumn and winter months. During the cold weather the 
temperature ranges between 50° and 55°, but during severe frosts and excep- 
tionally cold winds the thermometer is occasionally down to 45°. 
An important matter appears to be the careful watering of the plants. 
During the growing season, each individual specimen is only watered when 
it becomes thoroughly dry, when a good soaking is afforded, and when the 
plants are at rest, that is from October to March, they are kept well on the 
dry side. During the winter months the atmosphere of the house is at all 
times kept in a comparatively dry condition. The plants are potted firmly 
in coarse, well-drained osmunda fibre, and to see the large number of fine 
healthy roots, which all the plants possess, indicates that they appreciate 
Cockroaches are particularly fond of the tender 
this kind of compost. 
succulent points of the young roots, and these insects, if not assiduously 
sought after and destroyed, will soon diminish the vigour of the plants, and 
often prevent even strong specimens from flowering. 
