Juty, 1913.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 203 
* THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
By C. ALwyn Harrison, F.R.H.S. 
THE warm and sunny weather that we have lately been experiencing has 
had a beneficial effect upon the growth of the plants, enabling new bulbs to 
plump up and become well matured, and where this is the case satisfactory 
flowering can be confidently expected. Endeavour to keep the internal 
temperature of the house as near to 65° degrees as possible, this being best 
achieved by judicious damping and shading, with abundant ventilation. 
Should really seasonable weather still continue, damping the floor, 
staging, and pots will usually be needed three to four times a day, the 
plants themselves receiving a gentle spray overhead.in the late afternoon. 
Keep a strict watch for all insect pests, and sponge the leaves of all the 
Orchids at frequent intervals. Although abundance of fresh air is of the 
utmost importance for the successful development of cool Orchids, yet be 
careful never to give ventilation in such a manner that draughts are caused. 
In specially constructed Orchid houses the bottom ventilators will be 
found to be placed under the staging, and on a level with the hot water 
pipes. In the majority of amateur’s greenhouses, however, the ventilators 
are made to open level with the staging. Personally I would always advise 
the intending cultivator to have these altered if constructed on the latter 
plan, as better success with cool Orchids will be gained in houses with the 
bottom ventilators constructed under the staging. 
At the recent Chelsea Show amateurs must have been much struck 
with the magnificent Odontoglossum hybrids to be seen in every group, and 
how that those of early raising are procurable at moderate cost, I would 
advise their cultivation in place of the old species, as they are freer 
flowering, and, . being of stronger constitution, will better submit to 
indifferent treatment at the hands of a beginner. 
It is still, in my opinion, too warm to attempt the repotting of any 
Orchids, though any plant intended for exhibition at the summer shows 
may receive a top-dressing of sphagnum moss, care being taken, however, 
not to remove sufficient of the old compost to disturb the roots. 
Odontoglossum grande should by now have recovered from the effects of 
Tepotting, and will probably require a good dose of water daily, as it must 
be grown in a position where it can get much sun, and will consequently 
dry more quickly than other plants which are well shaded. 
The present is a good time to increase the stock of any Odontogiossums 
possessed, by severing the rhizome connecting the pseudobulbs. A clean 
sharp cut must be made, leaving two bulbs to support the new lead. Do 
Not remove the severed portion until a growth is seen to be forming, and it 
is by no means certain that every back bulb will start again into growth. 
