88 THE ORCHID REVIEW. { MARCH, 1907. 
of sphagnum moss forms the basis, but in the case of strong-growing 
terrestrial kinds an addition of fibrous yellow loam is necessary. An 
addition of oak or beech leaves is sometimes made, but the advantage of 
this has been much disputed, many considering that such materials are too 
retentive of moisture, requiring special care in watering. An open compost, 
with sufficient drainage to allow surplus water to pass away readily, is in 
any case essential. 
The method of potting is best learnt by a lesson or two from an expert 
friend, and once learnt is as easy as potting any ordinary greenhouse plant. 
Springtime is the period for repotting the majority, but others will not 
require attention till later, and many Cattleyas and other plants are found 
to be most vigorously rooting in the autumn, and this, as already pointed 
out, indicates the best time for repotting, as the young roots then take hold 
of the new compost at once. 
WATERING.— Be particularly careful in watering after repotting, keeping 
the new compost on the dry side until the new roots have taken hold of it. 
The necessary moisture is best supplied by syringing lightly between the 
pots. The syringe is a useful implement for damping the lower parts of an 
Orchid house, walls, stages, &c., also for lightly spraying the foliage when — 1 
such is desirable, but it should not be used indiscriminately as a means of 
watering plants_in pans and baskets, which should be taken down and 
dipped when necessary. Indiscriminate watering is above all things to be 
avoided. The plants should be regularly examined, and a good supply 
given to those that require it, the rest being passed over. Generally 
speaking the supplies of water should be increased as the plants begin to 
grow, and we are now approaching the season of renewed activity. 
TEMPERATURES will now be slightly increased, utilising the sun’s heat 
for this purpose as much as possible, and avoiding too much fire heat when 
the weather outside is cold. The blinds will also require to be used on 
bright days. Next month I may be able to say something about the treat- 
ment of newly-imported Orchids. 
VENEZUELAN ORCHIDS.—Mr. T. W. Brown, who some time ago made 
a trip to Venezuela, remarks (Journ. Kew Guild, 1906, p. 319) that he only 
found one small Orchid in passing through the dense virgin forest, though - 
the branches were overloaded with Bromeliads, Spanish Moss, Rhipsalis, 
and other epiphytal plants. ‘In the drier zone, however, at the head of 
the valley, between the forest proper and the region of the Cacti, the 
Cattleyas and Zygopetalums were magnificert.’’? And Mr. Brown recently 
informed us that a good many fleshy-leaved Orchids of the Pleurothallis 
group were found with the Cacti, apparently making their growth during _ 
the rains, and then taking a long rest. 
