356 THE ORCHID REVIEVW. [ DECEMBER, I910. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
By W. C. PricE, OAKDENE, WeEsT DIDSBURY. 
GENERAL REMARKS.—This month is the dullest in the whole year from a 
growing point of view, the plants generally being at a standstill until the 
turn of the New Year. Great care should be taken with the watering can,. 
and the damping down of the houses. It is surprising what a small amount 
of water is required to keep well rooted and healthy Orchids in good con- 
' dition at this time of the year, and I always find that if a plant is grown 
properly, and the temperature is not run up too much by fire-heat, the 
roots go through the winter without loss. I often hear the remark, ‘‘ Oh, 
it is of no use me buying this or that, I can get on all right with them 
during the best part of the year, but they always lose their roots with me 
during the winter, and are not fit to look at the following season.” And 
upon enquiring as to the method employed during the winter I find that 
too much water has been given. Orchids are better during the cold, dark 
winter months for being kept on the dry side. I think that more are killed 
in this country by the wrong use of the watering can than by all other 
causes put together. 
The damping down should be closely attended to, and the grower 
should be careful not to get the atmosphere of the houses overcharged with 
moisture, but on the other hand he should be careful not to get them too 
dry. If inthe morning the plants are covered with moisture, like dew, it 
is a sure indication that there is an excess of moisture, and the grower 
should reduce the amount of damping in the afternoon until by due 
observation he has struck the happy medium. A little ventilation when- 
ever the outside conditions will permit, if only for a few minutes, will be 
beneficial in helping to balance an excess, and help to sweeten the 
atmosphere, 
The houses should be lightly fumigated about every ten days, as it will 
keep down the insect pests, and is the cheapest way of doing so. 
Fumigate often and lightly, as it is better than fumigating strongly and 
then going a month or six weeks before repeating the operation, 
All cleaning, both of houses and plants, that has not yet been done 
should be finished this month, so that it leaves the grower a free hand for 
the commencement of the New Year, when the potting season commences. 
As soon as the cleaning is finished, loam, peat, polypodium and Osmunda 
fibres may be prepared ready for potting, and stored away in a suitable 
place. 
Where lath blinds are used they should be run out at night when the 
weather is frosty or windy, as they help to keep the temperature steady, 
and also are helpful in keeping down the fuel account. 
