﻿218 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [July, 1904. 



about level with same they will do equally well. Allow plenty of root room, 

 and fill up firmly with the following compost : good fibrous turfy loam, 

 intermixed with lumps of limestone, about the size of walnuts, and a small 

 quantity of sphagnum moss. Where limestone is not procurable, thick pieces 

 of broken brick may be substituted, though it should be remembered that 

 these plants are found growing naturally on limestone rocks, and very 

 probably this contains something essential to their welfare. All the above 

 species require a plentiful supply of water at all times, and more especially 

 during the growing season. Instead of watering in the usual way with a 

 can, it is better to stand them in a pail of water just covering the rim of the 

 pot, and allowing them to remain for several minutes to ensure a good soak- 

 ing. Thrips are very fond of the young foliage, and a sharp look out for 

 them is necessary. When sponging the leaves, care must be taken not to 

 raise them more than is really necessary, or they will certainly crack, which 

 greatly disfigures the plants, besides weakening them. 



Sobralias may be repotted as soon as the flowering season is past. 

 Good turfy loam, mixed with broken crocks and coarse sand, suits them 

 admirably. They should be potted firmly. Once strongly established they 

 are of most easy growth, and give but little trouble. They make a large 

 quantity of thick, fleshy roots, and must therefore have pots or pans of a 

 reasonable size to contain them. When repotting it is not advisable to 

 disturb the whole ball of roots more than is really necessary, for if pulled 

 about much a great check is given. Most Sobralias delight in Intermediate 

 or Cattleya house temperature, and in a good supply of water when grow- 

 ing strongly, and a moderate supply during winter, as they have no special 

 resting season. Odontoglossum Schlieperianum and the rare O. Williamsii 

 are now flowering, and will afterwards commence to grow, when they also 

 should be repotted. They are very pretty Orchids when strong, but from 

 small, weekly pseudo-bulbs the spikes are spindly, and the flowers insig- 

 nificant, and therefore should not be allowed to flower until the plants are 

 strong. They grow extremely well in the Belgian leaf soil, and the Inter- 

 mediate house is the best place for them. 



Dendrobium infundibulum and its variety Jamesianum are not often met 

 with in flourishing condition. They are often given too much heat ; the 

 Odontoglossum house is the right place for them during the hot summer 

 weather. About the end of September, when the nights become cold, they 

 should be placed at the cool end of the Intermediate house to complete and 

 ripen their growth, and at all times they must be kept moist at the root, 

 especially during the growing season. 



In the Mexican house it is necessary to protect the plants from direct 

 sunshine: the blinds are therefore let down earlier in the morning and 

 removed early again in the afternoon. Plenty of ventilation is needed, and 



