NOVEMBER, 1912.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 335 
Portinc.—First of all we would draw attention to repotting, which 
many growers say should be done in February, but the writer has found 
that this is too late, and in the culture of Disas we must remember that they 
have no resting period. The best plan to adopt is to repot immediately 
after the flower scapes are removed, taking away all decayed material or 
potting on without any disturbance where the soil isa mass of roots. 
Ordinary flower pots are chosen, and filled one-fourth of their depth with 
drainage, when they are ready to receive the base of the plant. The 
rooting medium should consist of the best fibrous loam one-half, sifting out 
all the fine particles, one-fourth good peat, and the remainder made up of 
chopped sphagnum moss, with a few handfuls of finely-crushed crocks or 
charcoal, to render the whole mixture porous. That excellent material, 
osmunda fibre, so highly prized by Cattleya specialists, has been tried, but 
we do not think it decays fast enough for such subjects as Disas. Hard 
potting is not recommended, but they must be made firm, and the soil 
can be brought up level with the rim of the receptacle. 
WaTeERING.— Perhaps the most important factor is watering, particularly 
after being disturbed. For several weeks the compost ought only to be 
kept moist, but when giving water sufficient must be applied to wet the 
whole of the ball, or the plants will suffer, because roots soon find their 
way down among the drainage. As spring approaches, and root action 
becomes more vigorous, the amount of moisture must be increased, and at 
no time ought they to be kept dry at the roots. i 
THE GROWING QuUARTERS.—It has been stated that Disas can be grown 
with Cape Heaths, and I do not contradict the statement, but the coolest 
end of the Odontoglossum house will suit them admirably, provided there 
is ample top ventilation immediately over the plants. Fresh air should be 
admitted, both winter and summer, excepting in frosty weather and during 
cold winds, and even then it may be possible to open the ventilator on |. the 
leeward side of the house. 
SHADING is necessary, but a thinner canvas should be employed bin is 
usually selected for Odontoglossums, and a gentle spray overhead will prove 
very beneficial during dry and hot weather. | 
Turip will sometimes prove very troublesome, but the house must 
never be vapourised, or the tips of the leaves will turn brown and decay. 
An alternative method is to dip the plants in a weak solution of “ XL all,” or 
some other reliable insecticide. Do nct on any account exceed the 
instructions given on the bottle, but preferably a little under the strength 
prescribed. ORCHIDIST. 
It may be interesting to give figures of the principal Disas mentioned in 
the foregoing article. D. Veitchii (fig. 45), the earliest hybrid of the group, 
