26 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
dull season, especially if the atmosphere and other conditions are well 
attended to. 
I think it is a bad system to be afraid to repot valuable Orchids when 
they require it, and it should be’ promptly done when the proper season 
comes round. Many a valuable Orchid has got into a bad state of health, 
which takes years to re-establish, through allowing the compost to get into 
a decomposed state. It is also bad to be continually disturbing the roots of 
Orchids. When potting is done thoroughly well, the compost should last 
for two years, sometimes three, in good condition. Very little repotting, 
however, is needed this month, but a good supply of sphagnum moss and 
best fibrous peat should be got at hand, and prepared in readiness for use, 
as the season is close at hand, and then but little time can be spared. 
Pleiones are best repotted directly after they have finished flowering ; 
therefore if P. lagenaria or P. maculata are not already done, they should 
be taken in hand at once, employing a mixture of fibrous loam and peat in 
equal proportions, adding a little leaf soil and coarse silver sand. Steady 
the pseudobulbs upon the surface with neat wooden pegs, surfacing the 
compost between the pseudobulbs with a layer of sphagnum moss. Keep 
them just moist only at the root, and suspend the pans in a light, cool house. 
When further advanced, and strongly rooted, Pleiones delight in a liberal 
supply of water; they grow very well in a very light position in the cool 
house, but perhaps the intermediate house is preferable. 
Odontoglossum crispum, O. luteopurpureum, O. triumphans, and other 
allied species, if in good condition and thriving, will be producing flower 
spikes, which must be protected against slugs and thrips. Fowler’s tobacco 
powder is the best to use where thrips are troublesome, and a pinch taken 
and dusted down the new growths or on the flower spikes effectually 
dislodges thrips, without causing injury to the plants; neither do slugs 
care to travel over tobacco powder. Odontoglossum crispum sometimes 
gives trouble, and refuses to become strong under the kindest of treatment. 
Under such circumstances do not allow them to linger on. If it is thought 
that root action is faulty, have no hesitation in repotting the whole, even in 
this early month. If the ventilation is at fault, give more air at the bottom, 
and have open wood-work stages, if these do not already exist. The position 
of the house may not be suitable. Try another, as Odontoglossums are too 
lovely to linger in the back ground. 
Prominent amongst the flowering Orchids in this month will be Lelia 
anceps, which, like other subjects of the Mexican house, delights in a well- 
ventilated, bracing atmosphere. Cattleya Percivaliana and C. Trianz are 
coming on apace, and should be placed at the warmest end of the Cattleya 
house, and great and sudden fluctuations of temperature avoided, or the 
flower buds may turn yellow and fail to appear, or may be deformed to 
a large extent. The beautiful Dendrobiums will also for the next few 
