THE ORCHID REVIEW. 55 
well when properly attended to. They will now be in full growth and 
require abundance of water at the root. If any plants of M. vexillaria show 
the least sign of becoming sickly, the young growths soft and weak, or the 
léaves spotted at their tips, it plainly shows the result of too much heat’ and 
moisture, and the plants must be removed to cooler quarters without delay, 
Give abundance of fresh air whenever possible. During the late severe 
weather, the thermometer registering 28° of frost, we kept the bottom 
ventilator directly under them slightly open, both by day and night, without 
the slightest injury to the plants, the: inside temperature being 53° F. 
Thrips are particularly fond of this species, and very quickly disfigure the 
foliage. The plants should be dipped into some safe insecticide at least once 
a fortnight. This, of course, must be done with discretion. Before dipping, 
the plants should be allowed to become moderately dry, so that when the 
operation is finished they may receive a thorough watering, to disperse any 
of the mixture that may have’ settled on the surface of the compost. I 
always make it a practice after dipping:each plant to immerse it into clean, 
tepid soft water; taking great care to shade the plants from the least sun- 
shine for a day or two. 
As the plants of Cypripedium villosum, C. Boxallii, C x Leeanum, C. 
insigne and its varieties, pass out of flower, they should be examined to see 
if repotting is necessary. Pot-bound plants should be given a liberal shift, 
into pots at least two sizes larger. Drainage to about one-third the depth 
of the pot will be sufficient, so that the water will pass away as through a 
Sieve. These species always require to be kept moist. They will root and 
grow freely in equal parts of lumpy peat and chopped moss ;_ pieces of crock 
about an inch square may be mixed in with it, which keeps the soil porous, 
and prevents it becoming sour. In repotting, do not elevate these plants 
above the rim of the pot, but keep the compost just below it. | Other 
Cypripediums as C. Spicerianum, C. Druryi, and C. x Winnianum, succeed 
much better when elevated above the rim. They also may be repotted as 
they pass out of flower. 
One of the most delightful of all Orchids when in bloom is Vanda 
Ceerulea. It is generally considered difficult to preserve in. a healthy, 
flourishing condition for many years together. The first two or three 
Seasons after importation, the plants grow and bloom fairly well, but after 
that period they usually become weaker, and slowly dwindle away altogether. 
We have yet much to learn respecting their successful cultivation. The 
best plan I know is to put them into teak baskets or tall cylinders, with 
crocks and sphagnum moss to root in, keeping the bottom leaves as near 
the moss as possible. During the winter months great care must be taken 
not to overwater the plants, or the foliage will quickly become spotted. 
Moderate Supplies every ten or twelve days will suffice, but during hot 
Weather water should be freely given. This species delights in abundance 
