THE ORCHID REVIEW. 27 
with clean broken pets, so as to leave room for about two inches of compost, 
which is sufficient. Do not over water, but keep the compost just moist 
only, and give them an i di E 
There will also be a few of the Cypripediums which may be repotted or 
top-dressed as the case may demand. I refer to the late autumn and 
winter flowering kinds which have passed out of bloom. The compost 
recommended above for Pleiones is also most suitable for these. Cypri- 
pediums should be repotted once in two or three years, or oftener, supposing 
they become pot-bound. The pots—and nothing is better—must not be too 
large, but just a reasonable size in proportion to the size of the plants. 
They must be quite clean, and crocked to one-half their depth with clean 
drainage. If the pots are large they are better crocked higher in proportion, 
Always place a layer of clean sphagnum over the drainage before filling in 
with the compost, which should be pressed in moderately firm, without 
breaking the roots, finally leaving the surface even and slightly raised above 
the rim of the pot. Should the plant then be in the least unsteady it should 
be firmly supported with neat sticks, otherwise the roots are prevented from 
taking a grip of the new material. Keep the compost just moist only until 
the new roots are showing activity. 
Masdevallias may also be repotted now. This is one of the best times, 
as a new batch of roots are pushing forth, which will delight in new 
compost, and the plants will soon become re-established. Peat and 
sphagnum moss in equal proportions suit them best. See that they are 
made quite steady, and water very carefully for a time. Cold and a 
damp atmosphere produces black marks on the leaves, which is most 
unsightly, and spoils the handsome foliage. A temperature ranging between 
50° and 60° is best, it should not fall below 50° if possible. 
Repotting Orchids, as is well known, cannot be done with impunity, as 
when done it must be done thoroughly, whereby every root is disturbed, 
and this, as may be expected, always gives a check to growth for a longer or 
shorter period; the former if performed at the wrong time, and the latter if 
at the right, which in most cases is when the plant is finished blooming, 
and again commences to grow. Therefore it is a matter of great importance 
to catch each plant at the right time. Top-dressing, however, is quite 
different in this respect, as it is not in the least necessary to disturb the 
roots by so doing. All that is required is to carefully prick off the old 
‘surface, andreplace with clean and fresh material, which not only gives a 
much smarter appearance, but is very beneficial, as the sweet compost about 
the roots seems to impart renewed vigour. Such plants as will not need 
repotting during the coming season may accordingly be top-dressed at the 
earliest i PP ity, which will save a good deal of time later 
on, when there is less to spare. Odontoglossums and Oncidiums may be 
