- OCTOBER, 1909. ] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 303 
the resting season, or the large fleshy leaves will soon rot off. Taking the 
Oncidiums generally, they are one of the most showy and useful classes of 
Orchids grown. 
CALANTHE X VEITCHII.—Now that the plants are pushing their flower 
spikes they should have manure water given them every time they are 
watered, as it helps to make strong spikes, and also gives much better 
coloured flowers. They should be given a light position, and the temperature 
should not be allowed to drop below 65°, with a little ventilation. Care 
must be taken not to overwater them, but do not let them ‘suffer for want 
of water. When they commence to flower they will last a long time if 
carefully attended to in the matter of water and temperature. They make 
a fine show when staged with a few ferns amongst them to compensate for 
the loss of leaves at this period, and they are also very useful for cutting. 
The evergreen varieties are mostly summer-flowering, and should be kept 
growing until they show their spikes, when they should be given slightly 
drier treatment until they have finished growing. 
CYMBIDIUM TRACYANUM AND GIGANTEUM will be showing their spikes, 
and should be given a little manure water if the plants are pot-bound. 
These like an intermediate temperature, and a plentiful supply of water 
while they are growing. They are very beautiful varieties, and flowering as 
they do in the winter are very useful. The flowers will last a long time in 
perfection. The foliage should be syringed on fine days till the flowers 
open, as they are rather subject to red spider. They are not particular as 
to where they are grown, so long as the temperature does not drop below 
55°, and they get plenty of water just while they are growing. 
LYCASTE SKINNERI will soon be finishing its growth, and should be 
given plenty of water until the bulbs are mature, and a temperature of not 
less than 55° at night. A drier atmosphere than the Cool house is 
necessary, or the leaves will spot. They are wonderful flowers to last, but 
are easily bruised, so care should be taken to stake the flowers clear of the 
leaves, and to handle them carefully when moving them to their flowering 
quarters. They like an airy position to grow in, and should be syringed on 
fine days tokeep the foliage clean. L. Deppei, Lawrenceana and aromatica 
will need similar treatment. L. Lawrenceana is a very free flowering and 
pretty variety, and useful for buttonhole work. 
PHAL#Nopsis.—As the days get shorter these will need less water and 
less moisture in the atmosphere. A sharp look-out must be kept at all 
times for slugs, as they soon spoil the appearance of an otherwise fine plant. 
After the tips of the roots are sealed over they will only need sufficient 
water to keep the leaves plump. As soon as the spikes appear they should 
have a piece of cotton wool wrapped round the base, as an extra safeguard 
against slugs. This is only useful while the wool is dry, so that it must be 
