﻿September, 1904.] 



THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



the houses so early in the morning, and likewise should be removed earlier 

 in the afternoon. 



This is, so far as Orchid flowers are concerned, a rather dull season. 

 To an enthusiastic grower, however, flowers alone are not the only pleasing 

 feature. To my mind the sight of the plants growing so freely at this 

 season fully compensates for the lack of bloom. But although flowers are 

 scarce, there are still a few to be had. The genus Oncidium is sure to be 

 represented no matter what the time -of year. One very pretty and useful 

 species flowering now is O. obryzatam, its long and many-branched spikes 

 carrying a large quantity of its pretty golden yellow flowers, spotted with 

 light brown. It is best removed to the Intermediate house during winter. 

 Another exquisite little species is also in bloom in the form of O. Gardneri. 

 It is not one lending-itself very readily to cultivation, hence its scarcity. It 

 will grow best in the Cool house, except, perhaps, for a short time during 

 winter, when it mostly happens that it is forming new growth, necessitating, 

 of course, its removal to the Intermediate house. O. spilopterum (Saint- 

 legerianum) is another species now in bloom, the large yellow labellum and 

 violet coloured crest making a fine contrast. It is of easy culture, growing 

 well in the Cool house in either pots or pans and suspended. In this 

 •department a good many spikes will now be making their appearance, 

 which will bloom later on in the autumn and winter months. Amongst 

 tthem may be noted such fine things as Oncidium crispum, O. Forbesii, O. 

 ornithorhynchum, O. tigrinum, and O. varicosum ; also Odontoglossum 

 Edwardi and O. ramossissimum ; and these should be carefully guarded 

 against injury from the various troublesome pests. 



A commencement may be made to pot the Odontoglossum crispum, 

 selecting only those plants whose growths are sufficiently advanced to war- 

 rant the early appearance of roots at the base of the new leads. The. com- 

 post may consist of one-third each peat, oak leaves, and chopped sphagnum 

 moss. Pot the plants moderately firm, and surface over with a layer of 

 fresh chopped moss, clipping off to give a neat appearance. Do not deluge 

 the plants with water, but keep the atmosphere moist and pure, a slight 

 moistening of the surface will suffice after repotting, and at this season of 

 the year the plants may be dewed overhead, thus moistening the surface of 

 the moss and obviating the chance of water being applied too soon after 

 repotting. s - . ; 



The Pleiones have now completed their growth for the season, and the 

 leaves, which are deciduous, will soon fall away. Bearing this in mind 

 much less water should be given, though, until the flowers appear, the com- 

 post should not become dust dry. There is with these practically no resting 

 iperiod, for almost before the old leaves have disappeared the young growths, 

 an which the flower scapes come up, make their appearance, hence growth 



