THE ORCHID REVIEW. 79 



renovating, should now receive attention, for root action has already 

 commenced. I favour pans in preference to baskets, as the plants are more 

 easily potted when occasion requires. These should be well drained, 

 using for the compost good, turfy peat and sphagnum moss. Cut away 

 any dead roots or pseudo-bulbs not required, keep the base of the plants on 

 a level with the rim, with the leads facing the same, then insert the peat 

 firmly among the roots until the pan is filled, finishing the whole with good 

 heads of sphagnum moss. Give water sparingly for a few weeks to newly- 

 potted plants ; an occasional syringe overhead on bright days will suffice. 

 Afford plenty of strong light and ample ventilation, in order to secure the 

 best results from these conspicuous Orchids. 



Miltonia vexillaria. — These plants are now forming their new 

 pseudobulbs, and the present is a suitable time for any re-potting that may 

 be necessary, for roots will be forming at the base of the maturing growths. 

 The compost may consist of three parts chopped sphagnum moss to one of 

 peat ; use perfectly clean pots and fill to two-thirds their depth with 

 drainage, which may consist of crocks or bracken root, the latter 

 answering very well. The plants should be elevated a little above the rim ; 

 press the compost moderately firm round the base of the plant, and finish 

 off with a layer of picked sphagnum moss. When finished give a good 

 watering, and shade from strong sunlight until the plants re-establish 

 themselves. Afford plenty of moisture at the root, and in the atmosphere, 

 until the flowering stage is reached. Miltonia X Bleuana succeeds well if 

 given a position with the former in the Intermediate house. This free 

 flowering hybrid is a most desirable Orchid to have ; it flowers earlier than 

 M. vexillaria, and already its flower spikes are well advanced. Water may 

 be liberally afforded at the present time. 



Miltonia Roezlii and M. R. alba require to be grown in more heat, 

 and enjoy a moist, shady position in the East Indian house. It is advisable 

 to re-pot any that may require it, using a compost similar to the one 

 recommended for M. vexillaria. It will be found that they thrive best 

 under humid conditions, and these should be encouraged at all seasons. 

 Thrips are very troublesome in Miltonias, but these may be kept in check 

 by light fumigatings with XL-All. 



Cattleyas.— Some of the labiata sectioi 

 such as C. Warneri, C. Gaskelliana, C. Wa 

 should be re- potted or top-dressed as their needs require. 



Calanthes. — The deciduous section, which comprises C. rosea, C. 

 vestita, C. X Veitchii, C. X William Murray, and C. X Bryan, &c, 

 are commencing new growth, and these may be re-potted just before new 

 roots are emitted. A suitable compost consists of three-parts good fibrous 

 loam to one of leaf soil, adding a quantity of broken crocks and silver sand, 



