26 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
ilis and M. s. Moreliana to grow freely and look happy until they were 
transferred to the East Indian house, which proves to be the best place for 
them. We have still many conquests to make. For example, Oncidium 
Phalznopsis—a sweetly neat and pretty species—does not grow well, and if 
any kind friend would say how to succeed with it, he would not only have 
my best thanks, but I believe of many other readers of the Orchid Review 
likewise. It happens sometimes that the proper cultivation of a certain 
species is discovered more by accident than design. Ifa plant which has 
proved difficult to cultivate should suddenly improve, the differences 
between the old and the new treatment should be noted, and further experi- 
ments followed. A few, or more, plants in delicate health are to be found 
in every collection, and the cause often is that some simple want is either 
not understood or not attended to. If the former, the best method is to 
find out, if possible, the right place and the proper treatment for such 
plants, and then they may recover and grow strong. Proofs are not 
wanting that the simple open woodwork staging is to be preferred to that 
which is closely constructed, and the air thus prevented from circulating — 
freely between and round the plants. Of course, with open stages a little 
more time is spent in damping down, and the plants also dry more quickly, 
but I think most growers will agree with me that an Orchid, to grow well, 
must necessarily dry quickly. 
The chief work this month will be to keep the plants healthy, by giving 
them as much light as possible, by keeping the temp and atmosphere 
as genial and pure as circumstances will admit, and by paying great 
attention to cleanliness, and freeing the plants from the numerous pests t0 _ 
which they are liable. In other words, I may say the best work to do is to 
maintain intact the vigour which the plants already possess, and be content. 
We must not expect free growth in these short dark days when the internal 
atmosphere, do what we will, is more or less vitiated, and it is a great 
mistake to try to force it, either byrepotting or an over exciting temperature — 
Many Orchids should now be at rest. 
Speaking of repotting, there are a few which may now be proceeded — 
with. The first are the Pleiones, which have passed out ofbloom. These 
should never go longer than two years without being done. They may be 
grown in pots, or suspended in shallow pans, but success is most likely © 
be attained with the latter, as Pleiones are very partial to an abundance of 
light. Employ a mixture of chopped sphagnum moss and peat, well mixed 
in equal proportions, and add a little loam and silver sand. In this compost 
plant the bulbs—taking great care not to injure the new roots—leaving: 
about an inch space between each bulb, and securing them in thet 
position firmly by means of small pegs. When finished the bulbs should b@ 
half below and half above the compost. The receptacles should be crocke® 
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