44 THE ORCHID ‘REVIEW. [FEBRUARY, Ig15. 
warm winter temperature of 55deg. to 60deg. During the summer months 
they must be shaded from strong sunshine, and the atmosphere must be 
kept humid at all times ; much less moisture will suffice in the winter. A 
useful guide is the greater the heat the more the moisture, as they will 
withstand the heat provided that there is an abundance of moisture. The 
plants are best raised well up to the glass, to prevent the leaves becoming 
drawn. Fresh air should be supplied at all seasons. 
Pottinc.—The best time to repot the plants is shortly after flowering, 
when the half-developed new growths are about to push roots; if one can 
anticipate these roots, so much the better, as the plant then re-establishes 
itself more quickly. The pots must be clean and well-drained. A layer of 
two inches of clean crocks is ample, placed carefully in position, as 
drainage does not depend so much on the quantity of material used as the 
-way in which it is disposed in the receptacles. In repotting the plants, as 
much as possible of the old material ought to be removed without damaging 
the roots, and the old woody rhizome must be cut away, as if allowed to 
remain it often causes decay in the centre. 
Compost.—A suitable compost is made up as follows: Equal parts of 
peat, osmunda, Az, and loam fibre mixed with a liberal addition of 
sphagnum moss. All the earthy particles should be removed from the 
peat and other fibres. The material must be made firm about the roots, 
and it ought to be heated to the same degree as the temperature of the 
house in which the plants are growing—this is easily accomplished by 
placing the compost in the house overnight. 
PROPAGATION.—This is effected by division, and in the case of C. i. 
Sandere it can also be done by raising seedlings fertilised with its own 
pollen, which invariably come true. This is rather remarkable, as generally 
when this variety is used as a parent its progeny reverts to a normal type: 
It is not desirable to divide the plants into little scraps, as pieces of fair 
size produce flowers of the best quality, while small portions are not, in 
some cases, the best of growers. 
WaTERING.—The amount of water applied to the roots of any plant 
grown in a pot depends a great deal upon the nature of the compost. 
Should the material be close and retentive, much less water will be 
required than when an open and porous mixture is used. Soft water, when- 
ever obtainable, should always be preferred, both for root application and 
spraying, and it should be as nearly as possible of the same temperature as 
the house. Cold hard water is liable to cause the young leaves to assume 
a brown rusty appearance, and to check the young roots. 
After repotting, water with great caution until the new roots have freely 
entered the material; then the supply can be gradually increased, but a 
saturated condition must be avoided, as it causes a sour compost, in which 
a 
