86 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ MARCH, 1908 
is its general home, yet it will always flower well if it is placed where it cam 
get afair amount of sunlight and air. It seems to be a favourite when in 
flower with everyone. 
PHALENopsIs are nearly always growing. They will need plenty of 
moisture as the weather gets brighter. Re-surface them with fresh moss, or 
re-pot if they have overgrown their pots, using a mixture of peat leaves (with 
the dust taken out), and moss in equal parts, with plenty of crushed crocks 
and charcoal mixed in. This will suit them well, topping the pots off neatly 
with fresh moss. Placea few lettuce leaves about the pots, as it will trap 
any slugs that may happen to be in the moss, and no matter how carefully 
moss is washed they nearly always make their appearance after a few days: 
CypRIPEDIUMS that have been freshly potted should be syringed twice 
daily, asit saves watering, and prevents newly-potted plants getting sodden. 
It is far better for the plants to syringe them with clean soft water than to 
be always spraying with insecticide to keep down thrip, and they always 
look happy after a good bath. Everything will be kept cleaner if the syringe 
is frequently used, and leaves are not so liable to go yellow as soon as we 
get a spell of bright weather. Keep the fires well in hand, and ready to 
drive in case of a change in the weather towards evening. 
DaMPING-bDowN.—As everything is now starting to grow freely, more 
damping will need to be done. This I consider the most important point 
in Orchid growing. No hard and fast rule can be laid down as to how 
many times a day it should be done, as the position of the houses and the 
condition of the weather must be the chief guide ; still, during the growing 
season one can scarcely give too much, if the houses are studied as to the 
amount of moisture required for the plants. 
VENTILATION.—Great care will be required in using the top ventilators. 
If the blinds are down, unless it is a very mild day, it will be better not to 
use the top ventilators at all or, in any case, not top and bottom at the same 
time, as it causes a chilly air, even in the warmest houses, and the plants. 
suffer. One can generally tell as soon as a house is entered if too much of 
too little air is being given. It is far better to let temperatures run up @ 
little with sun heat than chill the houses when it is cold or windy outside. 
SHADING.—AIl the softer-growing Orchids will need shade during the 
middle ofthe day. If blinds are not used a good shading can be made with 
flour and water, which can either be put on with a syringe or brush. It is 
easier removed than lime, and has the advantage of being transparent in 
damp or rainy weather, and does not wash off with rain. 
TEMPERATURES at night should be kept as advised for last month, 
allowing them to run up a little higher in the day time as sun heat increases 
This increase of temperature from sun heat will benefit the plants 
considerably, if they are well looked after in other respects. 
