278 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



necessary in all the other departments to keep a little warmth in the pipes 

 at night, and in cold weather during the day also, in order to facilitate the 

 process of ripening. 



The number of flowering Orchids will now gradually increase, as we 

 have already a goodly number of more or less conspicuous ones in flower, 

 and a great many others are fast sending up their flower spikes. Dendrobium 

 formosum and D. Phalsenopsis have almost completed their growth and 

 will soon send up their bloom spikes ; water will be required liberally at 

 the roots for some time to come, in fact until their flowers are past, when it 

 should be gradually withheld, giving sufficient only to maintain the pseudo- 

 bulbs in a plump condition. 



Cypripediums belonging to the cool section, namely C. Charlesworthii, 

 and the many varieties of C. insigne, are commencing to push up their 

 flower scapes, and should have every encouragement to induce them to 

 flower satisfactorily. C. Charlesworthii is nearly expanding its flowers, and 

 these will open better if removed to slightly warmer quarters ; the Inter- 

 mediate department will be found suitable for this process. 



Two very pretty Oncidiums are now in bloom, namely, O. ornitho- 

 rhynchum and O. incurvum, both inmates of the Intermediate house. These, 

 after flowering, should be given a lengthy period of rest, with sufficient water 

 only to keep the pseudobulbs plump. A few more of this section, namely, 

 O. tigrinum, O. Forbesii, O. crispum, and O. varicosum have nearly com- 

 pleted their new pseudobulbs, and are sending up their flower spikes. 

 These should now be given plenty of light and air, in order to ripen their 

 somewhat sappy growths, especially where cultivated in leaf soil, as this 

 will help to strengthen the flower spikes without in any way interfering 

 with their growth. 



Vanda ccerulea, where grown successfully, will now be in its beauty, 

 and as such it is always an Orchid to be admired. Unfortunately we do 

 not always find it growing just to our own liking, and in a good many 

 gardens it is given up in disgust after what is said to be a fair trial. I am 

 well aware that to attempt to grow Vanda ccerulea near a smoky town is a 

 very difficult matter ; for one of the essential points in its cultivation is 

 here lacking, namely, pure air. However, it is surprising what can be done 

 in these localities in the way of plant culture, and by adopting a system 

 of rational treatment during growth, in accordance with those of its native 

 home—such as plenty of light and air, with plenty of moisture to counteract 

 the drying effects of ventilation, a moderately cool dry rest after flowering, 

 and suspending them in a light airy position near the glass— better results 

 might be obtained. 



Vanda Sanderiana is another lovely species which one seldom meets 

 with in what might be termed the pink of condition. It will now be showing 



