THE ORCHID REVIEW. 197 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 



By John Mackay, The Gardens, Highbury, Birmingham. 

 The welcome change in the weather of the past few weeks has had its 

 beneficial effects to Orchids in general ; growth generally has made rapid 

 strides, which clearly shows that there is nothing like sun-heat for certain 

 sections of Orchideae. 



Plenty of moisture will need to be distributed on the paths, stages, &c, 

 in order to keep a nice genial, moist atmosphere, and above all, avoid the 

 use of fire-heat, wherever this can be dispensed with. Give attention to 

 watering, never allowing a plant to remain dry at the root for any length of 

 time. Now that growth is advancing, it should be free and rapid, whilst 

 the natural means for promoting the same are at hand. With the excep- 

 tion of the Cool House, all departments require a good amount of heat, and 

 the plants should be given abundance of moisture, both at the root and 

 overhead. 



The repotting season, with but few exceptions, is practically over, and 

 no plant should be disturbed at the root unless this is absolutely necessary, 

 it being preferable to defer repotting operations until September. The 

 principal work, meanwhile, will consist in giving attention to the require- 

 ments of the plants with regard to water, &c, and keeping them free from 

 insect pests. On the first sign of thrip or aphis, fumigate with XL. All 

 vaporising insecticide, and for red spider sponge with soapy rain water, 

 mixed rather weak. 



Dendrobiums during the last few weeks have made rapid strides, and 

 will continue to do so, provided enough humidity is maintained. This may 

 be done by frequently syringing the plants, and damping the floors, 

 staging, &c. When growth is completed, the plants should be gradually 

 hardened off, by giving them a suitable position, and by all means avoid 

 withholding water from the roots too quickly after growth is made, or harm 

 will be the result. D. chrysanthum has completed growth, and the flower 

 buds are very prominent. After blooming, remove it to a cooler house, 

 where it can enjoy a long dry rest. 



The beautiful Cattleya Warscewiczii is making a grand display : when 

 out of bloom, or in cases where bloom is not apparent, and the pseudobulbs 

 are completed, remove to an airy and sunny house, so that the growth can 

 be well matured, and rested, for without this treatment satisfactory results 

 •will not be obtained. C. Gaskelliana will also bloom this month. It is a 

 most easily grown and free-blooming species, and wherever necessary it 

 may be repotted after flowering, when renewed root action takes place. 



Thunias will have finished blooming and should be removed, as 

 previously advised in last month's Calendar. 



