THE ORCHID REVIEW. 55 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
By H. A. Burperry, Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham. 
THE temperatures for this month should remain as advised for last, except 
that a rise of a few degrees, with sun-heat should be allowed, as the sun 
gains more power. It will also now generally be necessary to damp down 
twice a day, and especially so during bright, clear weather, and when a 
large amount of fire-heat is required. A good deal of caution should be 
exercised at this season when giving air, remembering that we are now 
entering upon a period when cold winds and bright sunshine are apt to 
come simultaneously, thus rendering the possibility of injury by cold 
draughts extremely great; also, that Orchids, in consequence of darkness 
and general confinement during the winter months, are more susceptible to 
injury from this cause now than at any other time. 
Porrinc.—There are many plants that may now be potted or top- 
dressed as the case may demand, and this work should be pushed on where 
it is possible to do so. Time may then be had to do such work thoroughly 
well, which is a great point in favour of good cultivation, and the importance 
of well and carefully potting an Orchid must never be under-estimated. I 
have yet to learn of a better potting compost than good English peat and 
sphagnum moss, in equal parts, with a small proportion of broken charcoal ; 
and, except where otherwise mentioned, it is to these materials that I refer 
when mentioning the subject of potting. It sometimes happens, however, 
that one gets such rubbish under the name and price of best Orchid peat, 
that he is tempted to try anything which may be recommended as a 
substitute. Polypodium roots are largely advocated, but this material 
should not by any means take the place of good fibrous Orchid peat. 
The plants of the East Indian house should now be overhauled, giving 
new sphagnum moss to such species as Aérides and Saccolabium. Those 
Cypripediums which have passed out of bloom may also be potted. This 
genus delights in a compost of rather more body than most Orchids require. 
For instance, the peat need not necessarily be of the best fibrous quality, 
and a small portion of fibrous loam may be used, with a few not too much 
decayed leaves, some coarse silver sand, and broken charcoal should be 
added, to keep the whole porous. These materials, of course not omitting 
the sphagnum moss, make a good compost in which to grow the majority 
of Cypripediums. C. bellatulum and the near allied species are exceptions 
to this rule, growing better if given a mixture of stiff, yellow loam and 
small lumps of chalk. I remember once being highly recommended to mix 
broken bones with the compost and crocks of Cypripediums, but I have 
found they cannot be employed with any certainty of success, the result 
being most uncertain, as decaying bones are much too powerful for Orchids 
in general. : 2 
