56 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
By W. H. Younc, Clare Lawn, East Sheen. 
TuE month of February is the advent of renewed life in the Orchid depart- 
ment, the lengthening days, and consequently more powerful and beneficial 
sunlight, awakening the dormant life in a host of our favourites. However, 
it is not advisable to raise the temperatures by artificial aid yet, but let 
them remain as heretofore, viz. :— 
East Indian, Stove, or Warm house - Day 65° Night 60°. 
Cattleya and Mexican house- - - 4, 60°-65° jp GO 
Intermediate house - - - - ,ise »° $55 
Cool house “ . - 55° O°. 
It should be thoroughly understood, and a thing to be always aimed at, that 
the lowest readings should be those taken in the morning before the fires 
have been started for the day. The day temperatures should be kept up to 
within a degree or so of their maximum until banking-up time at night, - 
allowing the temperature to recede gradually until the morning. 
With the return of life in the plants, potting, top-dressing, mossing, and 
other attendant operations will soon be in full swing, though due regard 
should be taken of the fact that almost as great an evil will result through 
performing the operation too soon as would follow neglecting to do it at the 
right time, and therefore when doing any certain class of plants leave those 
whose condition is not suitable to operate upon until such time as they are 
fit. Occupants of the East Indian house will first claim our attention, for 
it is here that the subjects first show signs of renewed activity, and perhaps 
the first to be taken in hand should be certain of the Selenipediums. These 
are, more or less, always in a state of growth, yet just now it becomes |. 
accentuated, and it is also the best time to disturb them at the root if 
necessary. S. X Sedeni, x grande, X calurum, longifolium, Roezlii, and 
others of this section of the “ slipper” family may be repotted now. These 
plants require plenty of root-room, and a more lasting compost than the 
true Cypripediums, and to this end a small quantity of good fibrous loam 
may be added with advantage to the peat and moss. Of course, a good 
supply of drainage is essential. When potting rare hybrids of the section 
do not throw away any old back growth that may be cut off, as it will 
almost certainly produce a growth if kept and potted in a small receptacle. 
S. Sargentianum, one of Messrs. Sander’s more recent introductions, is 4 
noble and striking plant even when not in bloom, is a good grower, and — 
produces tall erect spikes five feet or more in length. The blooms have the 
general appearance and colour of S. longifolium, excepting in the petals, 
which are almost crimson. A point worth noting in connection with this 
is that it does not relish water in its growths. The others are not very 
