AuGust, 1915.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 235 
By W. H. WHITE, for many years Orchid Grower to the 
late Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O. 
: CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
ENDROBIUMS.—The season is now approaching when many of the 
deciduous Dendrobiums will be completing their growth, and when 
this has been fully made it is necessary to remove the plants to a cooler 
and drier atmosphere, where they may receive the benefit of extra sunlight 
and air, so as to consolidate and thoroughly bring the newly-made growths 
to maturity. It is not always advisable to remove Dendrobiums from their 
growing quarters immediately they appear to have finished growth, for it is 
just about that time that the roots, which have proceeded at an earlier 
stage from the base of the new growths, become very active, not only in 
lengthening themselves, but also in throwing out many lateral rootlets. 
Small as many of these are, they must not be despised, for it is through 
them that the bulk gathers strength both to flower and to bear uninjured 
the strain of flowering. It is better, where practicable, to select a position 
on one side of the house, where more air and light can be admitted and less 
moisture given them, especially when damping down. This partial removal 
may be done immediately the leaf at the extremity of the bulb is completed, 
or where there is any fear of a plant starting into premature growth. 
The plants should be gradually exposed to the sun for a longer time 
than is usual in the morning, and the blinds pulled up a trifle earlier each 
afternoon. Should there be any dull weather, or sudden changes of bright 
sunshine and cloud, there will be no necessity for using the shading at 
every outburst of sunshine, as these plants will stand a considerable amount 
of solar light at this period. Care must be taken that none of those plants 
that have completed their growth ever get too dry at the root, or they will 
be likely to receive a check, which will cause them to finish up suddenly, 
and immediately afterwards to start into growth buds that should remain 
dormant till after the flowering season. D. Wardianum and some of its 
hybrids are very apt to do this. In order to retain a vigorous and healthy 
constitution, everything appertaining to the drying and resting stages must 
be gradual, and it is necessary that each plant should make but one set of 
growths annually, and that these growths should be thoroughly ripened. 
After a week or two of such treatment in the growing house, the fresh 
young roots will have worked their way into the compost or around the 
Sides of the pots, when the plants may be removed to another house where 
they will be far less shaded, and where the atmosphere is drier and less 
close. No better place can be selected than a vinery from which the fruit 
has been gathered. In such a house it is generally easy to select positions 
for the Dendrobiums where they will gradually pass from moderate shade 
