FHE ORCHID REVIEW. 275 
After this they will begin to grow, and the end-of September or beginning 
of October is a good time to repot those that reqpire it. Ordinary pots or 
pans should be used, which should be well-drained, as these plants require 
plenty of moisture throughout the growing season. A compost of rough 
peat, with a little well-decayed cow-manure, and a little silver sand, or 
broken crocks, or charcoal, forms an excellent potting material. Care should 
be taken to injure the roots as little as possible, and the crown of the plant 
should be elevated slightly above the rim of the pot. After potting, the 
compost may be surfaced with a little living sphagnum, and a watering of 
tepid water should be given to settle the whole, after which they should be 
removed to their winter quarters, a position near the glass in a Cool house 
beingthe most suitable. These plants grow steadily during the winter, and 
should always be kept moist. Coolness and moisture are essential to their 
well-being, and care should be taken to keep their growth as sturdy 
as possible, for weakly, drawn-up plants are never satisfactory. Early in the — 
spring, as soon as danger from frost is over, they are best removed to a cool 
frame in a north or shady situation, where they should remain until they 
flower. As the spikes appear, a little weak guano-water or other liquid 
manure may be given with advantage. The syringe should be used daily 
when the plants are in active growth, and green fly and thrip must be kept 
down at all cost, as these insects are very injurious to them. They like a 
moist, airy situation, and even during the coldest weather the air in the 
house should be changed every day if possible. These plants are so 
beautiful when successfully grown that they repay any trouble which is 
taken to meet their requirements. D. grandiflora is often considered an 
intractable subject, for in some localities-it refuses to thrive, while in others 
it grows almost like a weed. In cases of non-success it is certain that 
there is something wrong with the treatment, but a few judicious experi- 
ments will often lead to an improvement, if the essential conditions ar 
steadily borne in mind. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
By H. A. BURBERRY, Orchid Specialist, King’s Heath, Birmingham. 
THE temperature should now be reduced in all departments by a few 
degrees, proportionate to that of the prevailing condition of the weather 
outside. Shade only during the hottest part of the day, and then no longer 
than absolutely necessary to prevent burning or scalding of the foliage. 
Ventilate as liberally as the occasion will admit, for light and air at this 
season are most important factors in ripening the newly-formed pseudobulbs. 
Damp down now rather less frequently than hitherto, but at the same time 
do not allow the temperature to become over-dry. 
