THE ORCHID REVIEW. 175 
but during winter the temperature which suits the ordinary cool+house 
Orchids is about 5 degrees too cold forthem.. M. ephippium’ (Trochilus), 
M. tovarensis, and the Chimzra section of Masdevallias, are best grown 
in intermediate temperature the whole year round. All of them delight in 
a liberal supply of water during the growing season, and if new material is 
given to the roots at least once in two years successful cultivation is assured. 
Along with the Masdevallias the pretty little Sophronitis grandiflora grows 
vety freely, if placed in small pans, and this is the right time to give new 
material to its roots. 
No good purpose can be served by coeiiane Cattleya gigas dry in order 
to make it bloom more freely after this date. If the young growths have 
not already the flowering sheaths formed within, no drying in the world will 
produce them now, and the plants may therefore be freely watered in order 
to assist the building up of strong pseudobulbs. It frequently happens that 
this species, like others of the:same genus, produces flowers without-a 
sheath, whilst, on the other hand, a sheath may be formed and fail to bloom, 
but-these are exceptions and not the rule. 
Cattleya Rex should this year show its true character, and we shall then 
be able to form an opinion of its.real qualities. I have not yet seen a variety 
so exquisite as the original painting. Enough, however, have flowered to 
prove that it is -a very variable ‘species, and perhaps, out of the. many 
that will bloom this year, something startling may turn up; more especially 
as the new pseudobulbs will in some instances be equal in size to the 
imported ones. It grows best near the glass in the warmest department. 
It may be repotted when the new growths. are starting, or it may also be 
done when the flowering period is over. The beautiful Cattleya Dowiana 
aurea should by this time have had all necessary work done in the way of 
repotting. This species amply repays a little extra attention to grow it well. 
It should have-a place at the warmest end of the Cattleya house, both when 
growing and when at rest, even the coolest and most airy part of the 
warmest house is not too warm for it. Cattleya Lawrenceana should be 
repotted now, and requires the same. treatment as the last named. 
An amateur asks ‘‘ when to repot Lelia purpurata.” This lovely species 
is now making a great show, though, unfortunately, the flowers are of com- 
paratively short duration. It may be repotted any time during this month, 
and is best grown in pots half filled with drainage, in a compost of peat and 
sphagnum moss in equal parts. Intermediate temperature is most suitable 
for it. After flowering is the proper time to repot most Orchids, but there 
are afew exceptions, and these are the late-summer or autumn-flowering 
kinds, such as Cattleya Bowringiana, C. labiata, Lelia pumila (Cattleya 
marginata), Odontoglossum grande, and some others; also some of the 
Oncidiums. Such kinds should be left until spring and then repotted. It 
is exceedingly bad practice to disturb Orchids late in the summer and autumn. 
