56 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
* 
The Phalznopses may also be gone through and removed this month. 
It is not advisable to ruthlessly pull these plants away from the baskets in 
which they are so firmly established, unless there are good reasons for so 
doing, but the old moss must be carefully removed from between the roots, 
and sweet new moss again carefully worked in. Should any plant prove to 
be in poor condition, not having its roots firmly fixed to the teak rods, it 
may be taken out and placed in another basket, without fear of causing a 
check. It would most likely be beneficial if a smaller basket were used, 
care being taken to make the plant firm in its position, and not to confine 
roots beneath the surface of the sphagnum which were formerly exposed to 
the air, nor to leave those roots which were previously confined fully 
exposed, as the result is that they will perish in either case, which greatly 
weakens the plant. When re-basketing, it is best to peg the aerial roots 
down tothe moss, which they enter of their own accord when re-commencing 
to grow. 
The same rule also applies to all other Orchids having aerial roots. 
Vanda ccerulea, for instance, sends forth a large number of such roots, 
and this is a suitable season to supply new sphagnum moss; but it is a 
great and fatal mistake to cut the plant down, and to suddenly confine 
these roots in a pot, in order to get rid of the long bare stem and be more 
pleasing to the eye. The plants will never survive such treatment. In 
dealing with Vandas, Saccolabiums, Aérides, Angreecums, and others of a 
like growth, due regard should be paid to Nature, and if the old stem is 
alive and has living roots at the base it should be left unmolested ; and the 
better the cultivation the sooner will new growths appear from the base, 
which in course of time will re-clothe, or rather hide, the bare stems. I 
find that Vanda ccerulea succeeds best in a light and airy position in the 
Mexican house, during both winter and summer, shaded slightly from the 
fierce rays of the sun, and plentifully supplied with moisture from March 
to September, but during the remaining months kept somewhat dry. 
The Mexican house is one where we grow principally Mexican Orchids, 
such as Lelia anceps, Gouldiana, autumnalis, and others; and it is kept 
at intermediate temperature at all times, except in sunny weather, and then 
scarcely any shading is used. The thermometer runs up to a high degree, 
but is always well tempered by the admission of large quantities of air and 
frequent dampings down. Of course it is best to set apart a house for 
Orchids delighting in such treatment, but where this is not convenient the 
Same conditions may be secured by leaving exposed to the sun a part of 
the ordinary Cattleya or intermediate houses. 
The potting of many Oncidiums and Odontoglossoms may also be pro- 
ceeded with now. Odontoglossum grande, having been at rest, will now 
be showing signs of activity, and must be repotted if necessary and grown 
in an intermediate temperature. In fact, the proper time for repotting 
