THE ORCHID REVIEW, 309 
the pseudobulbs will soon regain their former plumpness, and commence to 
root anew.”—Gard. Chron., September 2, p. 188. 
- Another correspondent replied that these “excellent remarks” induced 
him to describe his own method of treatment, and the course of reasoning 
which led to its adoption. ‘In the first place, as this plant grows at an 
altitude of 8,000 feet, it must always be in a free air, and as the vapour- 
laden clouds rise to that height they become condensed, and descend in 
copious showers upon the plants frequently, but not constantly; and not 
at any time can the showers be warm. One could not imagine such a 
thing as a spike of bloom becoming spotted and disfigured, as one has 
often seen them in Cool Orchid-houses. As I grew my own plants, and had 
not to please another’s fancy, a. bold method was adopted with marked 
success. The essential points are: air is always admitted (except in a 
wind frost), and especially by low ventilators opposite the hot-water pipes, 
with sufficient top-ventilation to keep the air of the house in movement. 
Under such conditions damping-off is unknown. What I am now about to 
mention will no doubt raise a chorus of surprise and dissent. All the 
watering the plants get is from the cold hose-pipe once or twice a day, to 
imitate the cold showers they get in their native habitat. This is given 
overhead, as if they were so many cabbages. If the sheaths at the base of 
the pseudobulbs are full of water, they are left so ; the free ventilation puts 
that matter right, and the material in the pots is never soaking wet, as 
though we were attempting to grow bog plants. It is remembered that 
Odontoglossums naturally grow on trees, and can only get such water as 
falls from above. Keep the ventilation free, not so free as in an Orchard- 
house, of course, but be bold, and all will be well. Do not coddle your 
plants as regards temperature, but keep it down to 60° in the summer if you 
can; and should it fall to 35° on a winter morning, do not faint with fright 
—your plants will not die, if all other conditions have proper attention.” 
—T.L.C., Sept. 9, p: 202. 
A Young Gardener was now not unnaturally somewhat pe 
‘a little in doubt as to the kind of treatment the species requires during 
the summer months,” remarking further that ‘‘ the above opinions seem to 
me so conflicting that I would like to solicit the advice of other cultivators 
of Odontoglossums.’’—Sept. 16, p. 231: : 
The important article by Mr. Robert Thompson, entitled er 
glossum crispum at Pacho—the natural conditions under which it grows, 
published at pages 297-298 of our last volume, will be read with interest 
in this connection, for it seems that there is still much uncertainty as to the 
requirements of this beautiful species under cultivation. 
rplexed, and 
—_—' - rr" 
