210 THE ORCHID REV /EW. (JULY, 1908. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
By W. J. Morcan, Rann Lea Gardens, Rainhill, Lancs. 
Puatus will now be growing fast, and any plants that require potting should 
be done as soon as the young roots commence to push from the new growth. 
The hybrids are much stronger growers than the species, and not quite so 
difficult to manage. They should be given plenty of root room, and then it 
will not be necessary to repot for some time. In breaking up specimen 
plants care must be taken not to break more roots than is required to divide 
the plants, as they object to much root disturbance. In repotting, use good 
lumps to work in between the roots, and see that the roots are not all buried 
at the bottom of the pot, as is often the case in potting strong rooting plants. 
A little care in potting makes a lot of difference in the growth made after- 
wards. The compost should consist of good fibrous loam, leaves, peat, and 
a little chopped moss, with some charcoal and sand. Mix sufficient loam 
in to make a rather stiff mixture. Loam varies so much that it is difficult 
to state the exact quantity, but with a heavy loam quite half should be 
used. Keep the plants well below the rim of the pot, as they like plenty of 
water during the growing season. The staging between the pots must be 
damped several times daily till they get started rooting in the new compost. 
As soon as they commence to grow again more air must be admitted to the 
house, as a damp, close atmosphere will cause spot in the leaves and 
disfigure the plants. A temperature of 70° will suit them to grow in. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE is a general favourite, and should be grown 
in every collection, especially where quantities of flowers are required for 
cutting. They should be growing well now, and should be examined, and 
those that need potting should be done when the young growth is about 
half made. If handled with care they will flower the same season as 
potted. They are not particular where they grow so long as it is an airy 
position, with a fair amount of sunlight, and a temperature of about 60°. 
This is another strong-rooting species, and the roots are also very brittle, 
and require great care in repotting. If the roots adhere fast to the pot 
they are growing in, smash the pot, and the pieces can then easily be taken 
away without breaking the roots. All old useless back bulbs should be 
taken away, leaving two or three behind the young growth, according to 
the strength of the plant. A compost should be used of three parts 
Osmunda fibre, and one part leaves, with very little: moss scattered in. 
They should be potted firmly, and if given a good shift will not require 
much attention for two or three seasons, and they give finer flowers when 
left undisturbed. Slugs are very fond of the young growths and roots, and 
a sharp look out should be kept for them, as they ruin a young growth in a 
night. A few lettuce leaves placed between the pots and on the compost 
