OcTOBER, 1911.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 299 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
By J. T. BarRKER, The West Hill, Hessle, E. Yorks. 
As the weather returns to more normal conditions, so must we return to 
the normal treatment of our plants. We must now look for cold nights, 
and a general fall in the outside temperature, and cultivators should be 
prepared for them. On such occasions the temperatures of the houses are 
sure to fall a few degrees below what is considered the proper standard, 
but no harm will occur provided no watering or damping down is attempted 
until the proper degree of heat is attained in the various houses. After the 
abnormal weather we have had it will be much better to err a trifle on the 
warm side at least for a few weeks, as a very sudden and drastic fall in the 
temperatures might do a considerable amount of harm. 
TEMPERATURES.— During this and next month the night temperatures 
should read as follows :-— 
East Indian house, 65° to 70°. 
Cattleya and Mexican house, 60° to 65°. 
Intermediate house, 58° to 62°. 
Odontoglossum house, 55° to 60°. 
In the event of extremely cold weather, a degree or two lower will do no 
harm, if not allowed to remain there too long. 
SHADING.—AII permanent shading may now be removed, but should the 
sun shine at all brightly I would advise, where lath roller blinds are used, 
that they should be run down during the hottest part of the day, but under 
no consideration should they be allowed down longer than is necessary. 
ATMOSPHERIC MoIsTURE.—Damping down must now be done with 
discretion, as if carried to excess the moisture condenses on the glass, and 
in many cases causes drip, in spite of drip-proof bars and other methods to 
prevent it. This often causes the loss of a young growth, if not the death 
of a plant. 
VENTILATION.—Admit air on all favourable occasions, as all plants 
delight in a supply of pure fresh air, but avoid draughts, as with them come 
chills and injury to the plants. 
WATERING.—The remarks made last month respecting this matter will 
still hold good, in fact right through the winter months. Always consider 
whether it is advisable to water the plant or not. Many Orchids, in my 
opinion, are lost through getting too much water during the winter months, 
and not enough when in full growth. 
DENDROBIUMS.—Continue to remove those that have finished their 
growth to the resting house, taking care that they get only sufficient water 
to prevent them from shrivelling. 
CaTTLEYAS, L2&LIAS, AND L#LIOCATTLEYAS may still be repotted, 
