JuNE, 1915.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 165 
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@™& URING this and the following months 70° Fahr. should be regarded as 
the minimum temperature of the Cattleya house, and, with the aid of 
sun-heat, the thermometer will often run up several degrees higher. This 
will be beneficial to the plants, provided the atmosphere is moist and freely 
supplied with fresh air. 
WATERING.—Growing Cattleyas and their hybrids need a good dose of 
swater at every application, but never allow the compost to become sodden, 
or the roots will die off; also, when watering and spraying, be careful not 
to allow any water to accumulate at the base of the flower sheaths. A fine 
sprayer should always be employed for the syringing of the plants. 
Spraying and the maintenance of a damp and buoyant atmosphere, 
according to the brightness of the weather, are even more important 
factors in the cultivation of Cattleyas than the direct watering, and if any 
doubt exists as to whether a plant needs water, delay this until the compost 
has become moderately dry. Be particularly careful not to over-water 
newly-potted plants, but their immediate surroundings should be kept well 
damped, and compost merely sprinkled at intervals until new roots are seen 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
By C. ALWYN HARRISON. 
to be pushing. 
SHapING.—Cattleyas do not need heavy shading. If the roof glass has 
‘been thinly stippled, the blinds need only be lowered from about ten a.m. 
to three p.m. If too heavily shaded the result will be seen in the production 
-of weak sappy growths. Newly-potted plants, and those which are at rest, 
obviously need somewhat shadier quarters, and where no convenience of a 
‘second house exists, the best plan is to have the roller blind made in two 
strips. In this way, by leaving the blind down longer over one end of the 
roof glass, this portion can be kept more heavily shaded than the other. 
In this portion, therefore, keep all newly-potted plants and those which are 
resting. If Cypripediums are grown in the same house, they must occupy 
the shady side, whilst the lighter end should be reserved for those plants 
which are maturing their bulbs. 
Such Cattleyas as aurea, gigas, Hardyana, and speciosissima are often 
not to be found thriving in amateur’s houses. The usual fault is found in 
that the plants do not receive sufficient light. To enable these to finish 
their growths and to push up their flower spikes a stronger light is needed 
than given to the other varieties. I find a shelf quite near the roof glass 
an ideal position, giving water to each plant's need and liberal spraying 
overhead. 
As any species or hybrids finish flowering they may be repotted, if 
