362 PHE ‘ORCHID REVIEW. [ DECEMBER, 190+ 
months, and they are always welcomed. I think the best time to pot them 
is rather late in the spring, but individual plants wili of course require 
particular treatment, and I think there is little doubt but that Osmunda 
fibre with a little sphagnum moss added is the best potting mixture that 
can be used for them. I find that they (I am speaking of primary hybrids), 
grow best towards the end of summer, and then they throw up the buds in 
the young growths. A mistake which one must avoid is to try and force 
them into making much growth during the early summer; most of them 
seem to be then really more or less resting, and again one must look for the 
reason in Sophronitis. Do not try to force them at all, and be not the 
slightest bit perturbed to see the summer months running past; they will 
make up strong and well and flower all in good time. 
a 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER, 
By W. J. Morcan, Rann Lea Gardens, Rainhill, Lancs. 
THIs month, although one of the dullest of the year, is one of the most 
interesting. Where the plants have been well grown they will give abund- 
ance of flowers for winter use, both for cutting and decoration, and just 
now, when the gardens outside are at rest, the Orchids are very much 
appreciated. The plants should be staged with a few ferns to hide the 
pots, which gives a better effect to the flowers. 
CALANTHE X VEITCHII.—As these pass out of flower room can be 
economised by turning them out of the pots, shaking the old material from 
the roots, and placing them in shallow boxes, with a little sand to keep them 
in position and save them from getting broken. If any scale be observed on 
the bulbs it should be carefully sponged off. If it is desired to increase the 
stock the old back bulbs can be placed in separate boxes or pans, and nearly 
every bulb will push one or two growths, which soon make vigorous plants 
when potted up. They should be placed in a light position, not stored 
away under the stage, and if kept in a temperature of about 60° they will 
not require any water until they commence to grow. The other deciduous 
varieties can be given similar treatment as they pass out of flower. 
Calanthe bulbs are very brittle and must be handled carefully. 
Coot House.—The Odontoglossum crispum which were potted in the 
autumn should now be making up fine bulbs, and plenty of water will be 
required until these are made up. A nice growing atmosphere must be kept 
up in the house by judicious damping. As with the hybrid Odontos that 
flower at all times of the year, no set rule can be given as to any particular 
season for potting. The best time to pot is when the young growth is about 
half made up, and so long as the plant is in the right condition it does not 
very much matter when it is potted. When only a few plants are potted at 
a time they should either be staged by themselves or raised on inverted 
