116 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
bars to these leafless stems and the roots which they emit, and this is most 
essential to the well-being of these aérial-rooting Orchids. Some of these 
plants will, with age, become more or less leggy or leafless towards the 
bottom, and this it is difficult to avoid. Some growers cut them down and 
lower them in another receptacle, but it is extremely risky business. The 
plants so done may look better for a.time, but they ultimately miss the 
support of the detached stem and roots, and sicken. I would advise no 
portion to be severed unless it is absolutely dead. The above species 
Should now have all that is required done to them, the’ old moss carefully 
removed with a stick, and fresh supplied, afterwards being supplied pretty 
liberally with moisture about the roots. 
Continue. to do the necessary repotting among the Cattleyas, 
Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums or any other genus as they show signs 
of being in the proper condition, that is when the new breaks and the 
young roots begin to push. It is well not to let them get too far advanced. 
Avoid turning out plants unnecessarily, but when repotting is required do 
it promptly and well. Let the plant be firmly secured in position in the 
new receptacle so that it cannot be shaken about, and let the compost be 
put in firmly and evenly, coming well up to the base of the last-made 
pseudobulb, so that the new roots may enter it directly they push out. 
The compost should also be trimmed off neatly with a pair of scissors. 
Further particulars as to repotting will be found in the Calendar for last 
month. 
Flower spikes will now be pushing up on many plants, and should be 
carefully watched for, and in some cases protected in their young and 
tender stages from the Tavages of the various insect pests which are always 
on the alert for tasty morsels. For instance, Odontoglossum citrosmum, 
having been kept very dry since the pseudobulbs were completed last 
autumn, will now be pushing up its spikes trom the centre of the new 
growths when about half an inch advanced. The spikes grow out vely 
quickly, in one night, and will probably be an inch or so long before they 
are noticed. They should immediately be protected by a piece of cotton 
wool, which will keep back the wood lice and other pests until the spike 
gets further advanced, when they are unable to do much mischief. 
Epidendrum vitellinum is also just pushing. This showy old species 
'S sometimes apt to give trouble if not grown in the Cool house. I have 
tried on various occasions to grow it in intermediate temperature, 
but never succeeded. Let it have a position in the coolest house, and it 
will do wellenough. In the Cool house the beautiful Odontoglossums and 
Oncidiums will also be showing spikes in a more or less advanced stage of 
sa Thrip, if Present, is a deadly enemy, and in a very short space of 
ime will utterly disfigure the whole of the buds ona spike. A good way 
