344 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
in intermediate temperature during winter, and they must now have a 
moderate rest. 
Phalznopses, having now completed their new leaves, should have much 
less water afforded them. Not that they should be rested, so to speak, like 
many of the pseudobulbous species, because they could not stand it; they 
must simply be kept drier, so that the foliage becomes more hardy, and 
consequently less liable to watery spots, which will appear if immatured 
and sappy during the winter. They will soon commence to push fortlrtheir 
flower spikes. If one part of the structure is hotter than another, this 
should always have the preference, but avoid a position where the 
outside air when admitted comes in direct contact with them. Neither do 
they derive any benefit from the sunshine striking them full, not even during 
the winter, and it is best therefore to avoid this. 
A great number of Cypripediums are now out, making a good show by 
themselves, in fact I think better than whenstaged with more showy species, 
such as Cattleyas, &c. It is difficult now to enumerate the varieties of 
Cypripediums, so very numerous are they. It is also difficult to see a great 
amount of difference between some of the named hybrids; still there is a 
difference, but in many instances it is noticeable only to the connoisseur. 
Cypripediums are all very simply cultivated, the majority preferring inter- 
mediate temperature. I am generally averse to autumn or winter potting 
of Orchids, still these may be done without unduly suffering, selecting them 
for this purpose soon after the flowering season is over. I now use leaf- 
mould for these purely, and find it answers admirably. I always give a 
good surface of sphagnum moss—say about half an inch. This preserves 
the leaves, keeping them the longer in an unrotten condition. Use only 
about one inch of small crocks for drainage. 
I think it a great mistake to grow the beautiful Odontoglossum citrosmum 
in a cool house. Far better give it warmth, even if it is the East Indian 
House. The pseudobulbs should now be completed, and the plant 
commencing its period of rest, which must be very severe to cause it to 
bloom profusely. This is one of the exceptions to the rule of not giving too - 
severe a rest. 
Maxillaria grandiflora and M. venusta are now sending up their flowers. 
They are beautiful old species, and when strong and well grown produce 
quite a quantity of flowers. They can be grown well intermediate, but one 
gentleman that I know grows the best plants I have ever seen in his Cool 
Odontoglossum House, on the centre stage, where they simply thrive. He 
repots very rarely indeed, declaring that Orchids may be repotted to death, 
which, I think, is true in a sense, and which is a notion I have always 
supported—by deprecating unnecessary root disturbance. 
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