DECEMEER, 1916.] THE ORCHID REVIEW, | 2gt 
best varieties, if well grown, is a fine sight. Considering their lasting 
qualities, the ease with which they are grown, and their general usefulness, 
one need not wonder at their popularity. They are never inactive at any 
season of the year, therefore should never be allowed to remain dry at the 
root for any length of time, or much harm may accrue. During winter 
much less water will suffice than when in active growth, but a certain 
amount of moisture is necessary in the atmosphere at all seasons. After 
the flowering season of each respective variety they may be repotted, and 
the stronger the plants are grown the finer will be the flowers. 
ZYGOPETALUM comprises some useful plants, of a colour which is 
sparsely represented in our collections. The best known is the old Z. 
Mackayi, which generally does best under warm conditions. At this season 
this particular species is growing freely, and sending up strong spikes of 
loom. When the flowers are past, or the spikes are cut, the plants may 
have attention, should repotting be necessary. Being a deep-rooting 
subject, plenty of pot room and a good depth of compost is necessary, 
- therefore the pots should have only a moderate depth of crocks. A mixture 
of good turfy loam and osmunda fibre, with plenty of small crocks mixed 
in, forms a suitable compost. With the exception of this and the rare Z. 
Burkei, other species and hybrids succeed under the cooler conditions of 
the Intermediate house. They should be repotted soon after growth 
commences, in a similar compost to that advised for Z. Mackayi, and water 
must be carefully given until they have freely entered the new material. 
ODONTOGLOSsUMS comprise plants now in full growth, as well as some 
at rest. The latter should be placed by themselves, where they may receive 
only sufficient water to keep them plump and healthy. The former should 
have every encouragement to make fine and healthy growth, and care 
must be exercised to prevent a check of any sort. Plants of O. crispum 
and the many hybrids should be watched assiduously for slugs, which are 
prone to feed on the young flower spikes, often as soon as they are observy- 
able at the base of the pseudobulbs. 
Oncipiums.—Among the Oncidiums the dwarf yellow-flowered O. 
cheirophorum is now in bloom. Like all members of this genus, it must 
not be overburdened with compost about the roots, a very thin layer being 
all that is required. This charming plant succeeds when grown in the 
Intermediate house. The old, sweet-scented O. tigrinum is also in bloom, 
and, when well-grown, is a most showy and useful plant. It succeeds in 
the cool Intermediate house, and when grown in quantity is a valuable 
subject to produce flowers at a season when there are never too many. 
After flowering the plants must be induced to rest, when only sufficient 
water must be given to keep the pseudobulbs plump. 
-Vanpas.—Vanda teres and V. ‘Hookeriana have now completed their 
