FEBRUARY 1909.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 45 
to asickly plant. Others which are in bad condition should be shaken out 
and repotted, washing all the old material off the roots and giving them 
a fresh start. Pot into as small pots as possible without crushing the roots, 
and very little water will be required until they start again. Syringe daily 
overhead, and several times daily between the pots, to keep the bulbs from 
shrivelling more than can be helped. Osmunda fibre chopped up fine with 
a little moss, so that it can be easily worked in between the roots, will make 
a good compost for them. As soon as the pot gets full of roots it can be 
dropped into another pot a size or two larger. Do not break the compost 
away, but smash the old pot, and drop it into a larger size without 
disturbing it. 
Any other plants that are commencing to root should be potted, if 
necessary, before the roots get too long, as they are so easily broken. I find 
this the only method of keeping Cattleyas in a healthy condition, for when 
once the roots get long they cannot be potted without breaking them, and 
where many plants are grown there are always a few getting out of season 
with their growths, and if left on till the time for the bulk to be potted they will 
be past potting or top-dressing. It is no use doing them when the roots are 
inactive ; they must be growing in order to get any strength from the new 
materials. When staged by themselves they can be given a little extra 
attention, and will soon get re-established. 
SHADING.—Blinds should be put on the houses where they have been 
removed for the winter, as they will be needed on a few hours for the 
softer-leaved Orchids by the end of the month. On bright days it is 
better to start too early than too late, as after the dull winter months the 
leaves soon get scorched. Cypripediums, Phalzenopsis and Odonto- 
glossums will probably need a little shade by the middle of February, but 
Cattleyas, Lzlias and Dendrobes will easily stand without shade until the 
end of the month. Where blinds are not used a sprinkling of flour and 
water will make a good shading, and one that is not easily washed off 
during heavy rains. Where lath roller blinds are used, and have been left 
on for winter use, they should be examined, and any broken links replaced 
before they are wanted for shading purposes. They are easily repaired, 
and very few links get broken as a rule, still it is better to be on the safe 
side. 
VENTILATION.—Now that the days are getting brighter a little extra 
ventilation should be given, always taking care not to cause a draught. 
It is better to use either top or bottom ventilators only at one time, as if 
both are used together it soon chills the house. When the blinds are 
dropped the ventilation should be considerably decreased until they are 
rolled up again, as a sudden check causes more harm than is generally 
Suspected at the time. 
