﻿THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



[April, 1904. 



much leaves and too little drainage, and in some cases other ingredients are 

 necessary, for all Orchids do not grow under identical conditions in this 

 respect, by any means. The last word on this question has evidently not yet 



But let us turn to a more poetic subject, namely, the " return of spring," 

 as seen by Mr. Lewis Morris :— " Just at present it is in the carefully tended 

 glasshouses that the first files of the advancing pageant are most fully seen. 

 I know nothing pleasanter than the air of such a place, not unduly warm or 

 damp ; not devoted to the uncanny Orchid, which spells death to so many 

 honest lads who come out at dawn from the reeking heat to be stricken with 

 death by the cruel east wind " (Card. Chron., 1904, ii. p. 193). I know not 

 whether this comes under the head of poetic licence, but I fear that the 

 Orchidological education of this gentleman has been somewhat neglected. 



Argus. 



MILTONIA VEXILLARIA. 



Under the title " Success with Miltonia vexillaria " we find an interesting 

 article by Mr. E. O. Orpet in American Gardening for February 27th 

 (p. 132), accompanied by a photograph of a fine plant of what looks sur- 

 prisingly like M. X Bleuana. Mr. Orpet recommends pans in preference to 

 pots, as the plants are shallow-rooting subjects, and it may be noticed in 

 repotting that the roots are always near the surface. Repotting is done 

 when the new growth is about half developed, this being the time when 

 new roots are emitted in quantity, and fresh material is taken hold of at 

 once, the plants becoming fully established at flowering time. After 

 flowering the plants are allowed to rest and recuperate in a cool shady 

 place, watering being given as needed, and in early autumn they begin to* 

 grow again. A winter temperature of 50 to 55 is recommended, and 

 during the four winter months, any direct sunlight that reaches the plants 

 is considered beneficial, as it imparts to the foliage a ruddy bronze tint that 

 denotes healthy conditions and a promise of abundant bloom. Humidity 

 in the air is beneficial at all times, but spraying overhead is avoided, as 

 water lodging at the base of the leaves is liable to cause decay. The 

 compost is not mentioned. Mr. Orpet deprecates using the plants for 

 room decoration, as he once lost a very fine lot of plants through it. " The 

 graceful arching sprays last often six weeks on the plants, and we had. 

 branching stems, one of which bore fourteen flowers, and the display was- 

 beautifuL When the flowers had passed, however, we found that the, 

 plants had, too — for not one survived the ordeal." 



