84 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
may possibly get uncomfortably hot, but rather than put on much air it 
would be far better for the plants to shade from the sun for a short period, 
so that the moist and genial growing atmosphere may not be rapidly 
winnowed away. 
Watering should still be done most moderately until the repotting 
season is over. Do not water-log or saturate your plants, for the increased | 
moisture they require just now can be very properly given by slight surface 
waterings, together with the extra moisture in the air. Do not, however, 
raise excessive moisture by syringing the warm pipes, a most ruinous thing 
to do. 
- The summer shading should now be fixed in position. It may, and 
should, not be required in general use for some few weeks to come, but it 
should be ready if the occasion arises. One example of the usefulness of 
timely shading is furnished above, and it may be added that for screening 
newly potted plants from bright sunshine for a time afterwards prevents 
undue shrivelling of the pseudobulbs and loss of foliage, and combined . 
with keeping the surroundings moist gives a much better chance of their 
becoming quickly re-established. The kind of material employed for 
shading purposes is in my opinion of small moment so long as the effect is 
produced. If possible, however, it is preferable to raise whatever is used 
a tew inches from the glass. | 
Lzlias of the anceps and autumnalis type that have been resting and 
dry since blooming should now be repotted or top-dressed, as circumstances 
require, for roots will commence to push forth. It isa bad practice to let 
these—the white anceps class especially—grow up in the air and get too 
leggy before being attended to by bringing the leads down to a level with 
the compost. These straggling new growths can only push their new roots 
in the air, and consequently are apt to get smaller and weaker each 
succeeding year, especially if of a free-flowering variety. They should be 
reconstructed about every second year so that the new roots can soon reach 
the compost. The latter should be of peat and sphagnum moss in equal 
parts with liberal drainage. Pot culture is quite as good as baskets. Lelia 
majalis, the beautiful early summer flowering species, should always be 
grown in either pans or baskets and suspended. It has now had a good; 
long, dry rest, and will soon commence to push new growth. Still keep 0” 
the dry side for a few weeks. It is rather a shy bloomer, and to be too wet 
at this early date would only aggravate this undesirable trait. When the 
new growths are pretty prominent, say about an inch long, and the 
flower bud, if any is to appear, is safely formed within, a good watering 
may be given, and the plants should be encouraged to grow rapidly and 
strongly by a warm position in the Cattleya or East Indian house, until 
the season of blooming is over. 
