THE ORCHID GENERA 



than the night temperature of the house. It is well 

 known that Odontoglossums like plenty of fresh air, 

 but this, like damping and watering, must be regulated 

 according to the situation and construction of the house, 

 the season of the year, and the temperature of the ex- 

 ternal air. Every facility should be afforded for a free 

 circulation of air, but draughts must at all times be 

 avoided. The top ventilators should not be opened 

 when cold or boisterous winds prevail ; but there are 

 very few days in the year when the bottom ventilators 

 should be entirely closed. Severe wind and frost must, 

 however, be carefully guarded against. Odontoglos- 

 sums do not appreciate strong light, and must there- 

 fore be shaded from all sunshine, especially in hot, 

 sunny weather, when they should be rather heavily 

 shaded, and the blinds kept down so long as the least 

 bit of sunshine plays on the glass. The month of 

 September is, without doubt, the best month to re- 

 pot the majority of the Odontoglossums, as at that time 

 the external air is of so genial a nature, that there is 

 little difficulty in maintaining a very suitable atmo- 

 sphere, which, as every cultivator knows, is of the 

 greatest assistance to the re-establishment of the plants. 

 Also many of the young growths which appear at that 

 period quickly send out new roots from their base, 

 which, having new compost to run in, are well-rooted 

 ere the winter commences. Plants that are in bloom, 

 or are at rest, or are otherwise not in a suitable con- 

 dition for re-potting in September, may be deferred 

 until the following spring. When re-potting, one of 

 the greatest mistakes into which beginners in Orchid 

 culture fall, is using pots much too large for the 

 plants, over-potting generally ending in injury and 

 failure, and this is especially true as regards the Odon- 

 toglossums. Pot them as advised for imported plants, 

 when commencing to root. The critical period with 



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