THE ORCHID REVIEW. Rar 
are times when it is difficult to forecast fluctuations of temperature, but many 
difficulties may be overcome by careful observation of the outside elements. 
We cannot expect the fine weather to last much longer. At the time 
of writing there is little difficulty in regulating the day temperatures, but 
in order that sufficient air may be given the hot-water pipes are kept a trifle 
warmer than was necessary a month ago. This only applies to the hottest 
divisions. As regards the cool houses, owing to the majority of the inmates 
having been recently potted, a little closer atmosphere will be maintained 
until the plants have re-established themselves. And unless the weather 
becomes cold no artificial heat will be necessary. 
The sun may yet prove too strong for such plants as those mentioned in 
the last calendar, but the shadings used during the summer for the pro- 
tection of Aérides, Vandas, Epidendrums, Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, and 
Mexican Orchids may now be entirely dispensed with. ‘ 
Two warm-growing Oncidiums, Krameri and papilio, are highly appre- 
ciated when in bloom, their butterfly-like flowers being very attractive and 
interesting. These are now opening their buds, and will continue to produce 
fresh flowers from each stem for some considerable period; but it is not 
advisable to prolong their flowering season unnecessarily, or the plants will 
become so weak that they will soon commence to gradually dwindle away. 
Therefore, when each spike has given out three or four flowers, they should 
be cut off, which will prove beneficial to the plants next season. These 
beautiful Oncidiums prefer a light position, hanging up close to the roof 
glass, in either pan or basket, with but a very small quantity of material to 
root into. 
Amongst the most easily grown of Orchids are the Sobralias, though 
as a rule they do not find as much favour with cultivators as they deserve, 
the objection being that the individual blooms last so short a period. 
Nevertheless, no collection of Orchids can be said to be complete without 
them, and I think them worthy of more attention than they receive at the 
Present time. Here we have a large specimen of the gorgeous S. macrantha, 
Which has produced three and four flowers in succession from every fully 
developed stem, and has been a grand object for several weeks past. “Ene 
pure white variety of the above species, called S. macrantha Kienastiana, 
is the rarest and most valuable of all the Sobralias, and is represented in 
only very few collections. A splendid specimen of this lovely Orchid wen 
exhibited by Baron Schréder at the Drill Hall in 1891, when it was unant- 
mously awarded a First-class Certificate by the Orchid Committee, and 
gteatly admired by all present. Equal as regards size to either sabes 
Preceding is the beautiful rich yellow S. xantholeuca. Other desirable kinds 
are S. virginalis, S. liliastrum, S. albo-violacea, and S. Warscewiczu. 
All of the above species, being very strong-rooting plants, require 4 oe 
deal of pot-room, and those that have become pot-bound —— == 
