﻿March, ,904.] 



THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



75- 



bottom ventilators, then, and then only, is a foundation laid upon which to 

 build up future success. 



The work of repotting, &c, will now begin in earnest. Take, for 

 instance, the Mexican Laelias. The first and foremost of these is L. anceps, 

 with its numerous varieties. They should now be taken in hand, where 

 this operation is necessary, and after being overhauled and well cleansed 

 from all traces of that particular scale to which they are liable, should be 

 repotted. It is wise to perform this operation in a thorough and workman- 

 like manner, so that it does not become necessary to again disturb their 

 roots for at least three years. If the plant is a large one, the several pieces 

 forming it should be placed together skilfully so that a neat specimen is 

 made, and one that will take up the least amount of room. One sometimes 

 sees a plant of L. anceps with about three leads occupying an enormous 

 basket or pan, which it is needless to say is a useless waste of room. Should 

 the rhizomes become too long, they may be severed, leaving three or four 

 bulbs to support the lead. The back pseudobulbs taken away will break 

 again, and should be placed in with the plant; by these means a greater 

 number of leading bulbs are being constantly added. Take care not to 

 bury the pseudobulbs, but let the rhizome be on the level with the compost ; 

 if buried, the eyes which are dormant will soon decay. L. anceps 

 Sanderiana and L. a. Schrcederiana, when seen in all their beauty, are 

 Orchids not easily surpassed. They must, however, be strong in order to 

 bloom well, and the chief points of cultivation to bear in mind are : — not to 

 allow them to ramble over the side of the receptacle for more than one 

 season's growth, and during summer to give them the full sun, plenty of 

 water, and abundance of air. Should there not be a house set apart for 

 these sun-loving kinds, L. anceps and varieties, then they are better grown 

 in baskets or pans, and suspended near the roof of the Cattleya House. If, 

 however, there be a house for their accommodation, together with a few 

 other sun-loving subjects, then they are better in pots on the stage. 



Laslia grandiflora (majalis) often proves a difficult subject to keep in 

 condition for any length of time. I find the most successful way to keep- 

 this species in good condition is to grow it in small pans, with just enough, 

 leaf-soil, peat and sphagnum moss about its roots to steady and secure it in 

 position. Give liberal supplies of water when growing. It is rather a shy 

 Orchid to bloom, and rarely does so until the bulbs have attained their 

 maximum size, and even then they are apt to disappoint one. It is always 

 advisable to keep them on the dry side until the new growths are an inch 

 or two high, as the flower spikes grow simultaneously. It is useless r 

 however, to withhold water too long, for if the flower spike is not formed in 

 the new growth during its early stages, no amount of drought will cause it 

 to appear afterwards. It is an easy matter to tell a flowering growth 



