AUGUST, Ig909.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 229 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
3 By W. J. Morcan, Rann Lea Gardens, Rainhill, Lancs. 
ATTENTION must now be paid to getting the Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, 
Lelia anceps, and other Mexican house Orchids properly ripened, and the 
shading can be gradually reduced until, by the middle of August, they will 
only need the blinds for an hour or so in the middle of the day, and then 
only on very bright days, and by the end of the month they should need no 
shading at all. As the shading is decreased the ventilation must be 
increased on bright days, or the leaves will get scalded, but so long as a. 
good circulation of air is maintained they will ripen up very rapidly without 
any scalds. In ripening, water must not be decreased suddenly, or the 
bulbs will shrivel; the plants will need a good supply of moisture for some 
time yet, and should be watered when they become dry, without letting 
them go for several days. They will dry out very rapidly for some time 
yet, especially with increased ventilation. Give them a good syringing in 
the afternoon, and close them up for an hour or so, after which the 
ventilation can be again gradually put on, so as to get them dry by night 
again. About three o’clock is early enough for this. These houses will 
not require damping so often now; once a day will be quite sufficient, 
especially where syringing is practised during the afternoon. Give the 
plants every chance to ripen, as the days shorten very rapidly after August. 
Cypripediums, Phalawnopsis, Odontoglossums, and all soft foliaged 
plants that have been shaded with double blinds should be gradually 
used to more light, so that only one blind will be required by the end of 
August. Where the glass has been stippled with flour and water it is a 
good plan to go over it with a dry brush and rub off what will come off 
easily, then about a week or so after, go over it with a hose pipe and brush, 
and clean the glass thoroughly. The blinds will be quite sufficient after- 
wards, but where no blinds are used of course the stippling must be left on 
longer. As the shading is reduced the ventilation must be increased on all 
favourable occasions until the plants get used to the stronger light, and 
with a little care no scalding need occur. The moisture in these houses 
must not be decreased to the same extent as in the case of the harder 
growing plants, or thrip will soon make its appearance. The plants must 
be carefully watched for some time, as thrip soon spoils the appearance of 
an otherwise healthy plant. Light fumigating will check these insects, or 
spraying with a reliable insecticide will prevent them making any headway. 
Plants that are suspended from the roof must be carefully watched and not 
allowed to suffer from want of water, as they dry much more quickly than 
those farther away from the glass, and if nothing happens to be dry on the 
stages, they are apt to get overlooked. Keep the houses well damped for 
