76 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Marcu, 1906. 
The object which one has in view with small seedlings is to get them 
large as soon as possible, and as there is no interruption or exhaustion from 
flowering, and no flowering period to be anticipated and prepared for, the 
method of treatment differs in some essential points from that accorded to 
adult plants. Sunlight and air, so necessary to ripen up the tissues of 
Cattleyas and Lelias that are of flowering size, and without which they 
will not flower up to their true character, should both be applied less 
liberally to these small seedlings. Lzelio-cattleyas will stand a lot more 
sun before turning yellow than imported species will, and they should receive 
all they will stand when large, but strong light has a dwarfing effect on 
small seedlings, and thus the flowering stage, so much longed for, is 
retarded. The temperatures must to some extent be regulated by the 
species from which the seedlings are derived, but should be considerably 
higher than these enjoy, and for at least the first two years of growth no 
difference need be made in this tespect between seedlings derived from 
cooler growing species, such as Leelia Jongheana, and those derived from 
species requiring more heat, such as Cattleya superba. Later on one must 
of course differentiate. A night temperature of 65° in winter seems to suit 
all Lelio-cattleyas admirably for the first two or three years, and they 
must receive similar treatment to growing plants with regard to 
watering. No plant, unless it be deciduous, can be kept at a minimum 
offer a large surface for transpiration, they should not be allowed to suffer 
for want of water. 
Of late a good many Lelio-cattleyas have changed hands in a small 
State, and, if bought at the auction-rooms, will have reached home in a dry 
condition. This will be somewhat perplexing to the inexperienced grower, 
but as these plants kave been allowed to dry out before being sent to the 
saleroom—so as not to be injured by the cold in transit or through standing 
in a draughty room—their being dry thus Permits of an easy explanation. 
They should not receive water immediately on reaching home, but should 
have at least twenty-four hours in the house to get thoroughly warmed 
through. 
Compost For Lavio-catt.eyas, 
in the compost used for these when t 
when they are large. 
for the second), which t 
months old, but usuall 
gives good results, M 
as much in depth a 
between it and tii 
—Some difference may also be made 
hey are small and for the same plants 
For the first Potting into single pots (and sometimes 
‘akes place when the plant is anything up to eighteen 
y when it is about twelve months, Belgian leaf-soil 
y plan is to give a good surfacing of sphagnum, nearly 
S the leaf-soil, and I find more roots in the sphagnum, oF 
¢ leaf-soil, than in the leaf-soil itself. When beyond a 
