368 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
which is equally undesirable. In some cases their resting season in their 
native habitat is very dry, rain not falling perhaps for weeks at a stretch, 
but we must not forget that there is always sufficient dew falling during the 
night to revive vegetation after a day’s hot sun. Thus the Orchids retain 
their freshness and vigour during the resting season, a condition of things 
which we should endeavour to imitate under cultivation. 
Dendrobiums, or those of them which bloom in the Spring, having had 
abundance of air and light since growth was completed, will now have 
become nicely ripened and firm, and will require an exceptionally small 
amount of water. The flower buds of many are now becoming prominent, 
and especially will this be the case with D. Wardianum. Do not, however, 
on this account be tempted to encourage such buds to grow quickly by 
placing the plants in more warmth at this season, or the result will 
undoubtedly be badly or thinly flowered plants. Many of the buds would 
drop off or fail to expand, besides which the ensuing new growths would 
become drawn and weakly, eventually presenting a sorry spectacle. 
This will apply equally to other species of this spring-flowering group, 
for all are best when not unduly hurried into bloom. Very few Dendrobiums 
can safely be made to bloom by Christmas or the New Year, though a few 
do so naturally, as D. moniliforme (japonicum) and its hybrids, D. X 
eudocharis and D. x Cassiope. Sometimes also various plants of D.nobile 
and D. aureum very conveniently condescend to flower at this early date, 
without requiring undue pressure, and when this is the case they are very 
welcome. A few hybrids having one or the other of these species for their 
- parents may also be had in flower at this date, forming a charming little 
show, but the majority must be left to bloom at a later period, when flowers 
of a far better quality and substance may be assured. 
Lelia anceps and its numerous varieties will this month be at their 
best, and how useful they are, none know but those who grow them well. 
Small weakly plants are generally disappointing, but well-grown specimens, 
having pseudobulbs of the maximum size and well matured, produce flower 
spikes freely, which in their turn give flowers of the finest substance and 
brilliancy in colour. It is really the easiest Orchid to grow that I know of 
if given the right treatment, ranking not even second to Cypripedium 
insigne, or to Coelogyne cristata. Like the two latter it succeeds best when 
grown hardily. Insufficient air and light, and two much care and coddling 
during the summer months, generally keep these plants weak and feeble, 
and unable to give a good account of themselves when they ought to flower. 
These remarks apply also to a great many other species, including some of 
the Dendrobiums and Ccelogynes. 
Cattleya Warneri is a species which, quite naturally, commences to 
make new growth during the winter months, and is now about to start, 
