46 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATONS FOR FEBRUARY. 



The temperatures given in last month's Calendar will suffice for the present 

 month, but in regulating these one must be guided by the external tempera- 

 ture, for at no time of the year is greater care needed. Ventilate on all 

 favourable occasions by means of the bottom ventilators, especially in the 

 cool departments. A little bottom air is always beneficial, and should not 

 be taken off, unless cold winds or frosts prevail, but here again it is 

 necesary to point out that one must be guided by the structures he has to 

 contend with ; the aim must be to keep the atmosphere pure and healthy, 

 without causing unnecessary cold draughts. 



Watering. — The application of water to Orchids, is always an impor- 

 tant item in the successful culture of these plants, and must be done with 

 intelligence, or disaster will eventually be the result. During the present 

 month those that are still resting require less than those inactive growth, 

 and some difference must be made between those that have pseudobulbs 

 and those possessing none ; very little water will be needed, so long as their 

 leaves and pseudobulbs remain plump. It is here that the intelligence of 

 the grower is required, in applying water at the right time, in order to 

 avoid any harm being done by the vegetative organs unduly shrivelling. 



Shading. — With the lengthening days and increased sunlight, it will be 

 necessary to have all blinds fixed ready for use by the end of the month. 

 The lath roller blinds are preferable for such Orchids as Cattleyas, Dendro- 

 biums, Laelias, Miltonias, and Oncidiums, whilst tiffany made of a thick 

 material, will afford ample protection in summer, for Vandas, Aerides, and 

 Phalsenopses. Those that remain permanent on the roof the whole year, 

 will be found useful in severe weather, as these may be let down at night, 

 and by this means a great saving in artificial heat is effected, besides more 

 wholesome conditions being secured internally. In all cases, blinds should 

 be kept clear of the glass, by means of rods, fixed six inches above it. This 

 allows a free passage of air to circulate over the roof; the atmosphere will 

 thus be kept much more genial than it would otherwise be, were they allowed 

 to lie on the glass. 



Leaf-Mould.— Doubtless this compost will be largely used during the 

 present year in the repotting of Orchids, and I think the results already 

 obtained will justify a full use for such Orchids as Odontoglossums, 

 Oncidiums, Miltonias, Masdevallias, Cypripediums, Cattleyas, and Laelias. 

 The leaves of oak and beech, which were collected in the autumn, will be 

 quite matured now, providing they were stored in a suitable place. In 

 preparing these for use, they should be rubbed through a half-inch sieve, to 

 break them up a bit, adding a small quantity of peat fibre siftings, with a 



