SEPTEMBER, 1915,] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 285; 
ees 
c. subject of the last essay in the Journal of Horticulture monthly 
competition is Odontoglossum crispum, and the. Gold Medal has: 
been awarded to Mr. W. E. Dadson, Hooktield Gardens, Epsom, a Silver 
Medal being given to Mr. A. R. Moody, 28, Drake Street, Enfield. 
Mr. Dadson considers that the best time for repotting is shortly after 
flowering, before new roots are formed. The pots must be clean and well- 
drained, being about half-filled with crocks, and for potting material he 
advises equal parts of fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, with no admixture. 
After potting, shade the house judiciously during bright weather, and keep: 
the atmosphere close for a short time, watering with great caution until the 
roots have freely entered the material, when the supply can be increased.. 
Soft water, whenever obtainable, should be preferred, both for root applica- 
tion and spraying, and it should be as nearly as possible of the same 
temperature as the house. 
As these plants continue their growth right through the winter, watering 
mut be carefully attended to, and although a minimum temperature of 50° 
degrees should be aimed at, no real damage will occur if the thermometer 
falls to 45. Oncold nights an excellent plan is to cover the glass with mats, 
and when the blinds are in use they may be let down as additional protec- 
tion. Excessive fire heat is never good, so every means must be taken of 
preventing a loss of heat from the house, and thus reducing the need for 
highly heated pipes. 
As the weather improves air must be admitted on all favourable 
occasions, and the plants frequently damped down as the weather permits. 
When spikes are developing, the plants should be carefully inspected every 
day for slugs and snails, which are particularly fond of them. As the 
flowers expand shade is very essential, and all the ventilators should be 
opened on bright warm days, so that the house may be kept as cool as 
possible. 
Scale is seldom found on O. crispum, but it is a favourite host for 
thrips, which cause much damage to the flower spikes and disfigure the new 
gtowths. Fumigation is generally effectual, care being taken that water is 
not lodging in the growths, or it may prove a harbour for the thrips until 
the fumes have passed away. It is advisable to sponge the leaves once or 
twice a year with some safe insecticide. 
Mr. Moody recommends as a potting medium two parts of well-pulled 
and chopped osmunda fibre, one part of Ar fibre, and one part of perfectly 
with a little charcoal and some broken, 
CULTURE OF ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM. Fel 
cleaned, cut-up sphagnum moss, 
half-decayed oak leaves. 
