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THE ORCHID REVIEW. [September, 1904, 



in some shape or form is always in progress. P. humilis is only about half- 

 way through its season's work, and will yet require a fair supply of water 

 at the root. 



In the Mexican house very little assistance from the hot water pipes will 

 be required this month, unless the nights, or even the days, be unduly cold, 

 when it is certainly by far the best and wisest plan to have a little warmth 

 in the pipes, so that the ventilators need not be entirely closed. Nothing 

 is more harmful to Mexican Orchids than a stagnant atmosphere, and if a 

 house is shut up close without fire heat it is sure to become so. It is better, 

 then, to have slight warmth in the pipes with ventilation, and the ther- 

 mometer ranging at night about 6o°, a little more or less. In this house 

 flower spikes of La;lia anceps, L. Gouldiana, and others of the same type 

 will now be showing in quantities. Let them have exactly the same kind 

 of treatment in all respects as previously advised, viz., watering them when 

 dry only, keeping them near the light, and giving them the full sun, and an 

 abundance of air in favourable weather. It is best, perhaps, now to discon- 

 tinue syringing overhead at night, doing it only first thing in the morning, 

 otherwise a few spikes may be lost through damping. 



The Cattleya house will also require a little assistance from the hot 

 water pipes when the weather is cold, maintaining a night temperature 

 of from 6o° to 65 , with a circulation of air. Let the plants now receive a 

 larger amount of light, by reducing permanent shading, and by using the 

 roller blinds only when the sun is very bright. Twice daily will be sufficient 

 for damping down the paths, between the pots, etc., doing it first thing in 

 the morning, and again about three or four o'clock in the afternoon. Many 

 of the inmates of this department will by this time have almost completed 

 their new growth ; such as the earliest of the labiata section of Cattleyas, 

 like C. Trianse and C. Schrcederce, whilst other later kinds, such as C. 

 Mossise and C. Mendelii, together with Laelia purpurata, and some few 

 others, have still a good deal to do. If it is possible, it is best to place the 

 former at the coolest and airiest part of the house, and the latter at the 

 warmest part. Of course, those kinds having finished their growth will 

 need less water at the root than others, but they should not at present be 

 kept too dry. 



Dendrobiums are also now rapidly finishing up new pseudobulbs. It 

 is most essential that these Orchids have complete rest during autumn and 

 winter, in a much cooler temperature than that in which they make their 

 growth. Upon this much will depend in the successful cultivation of this 

 most beautiful genus. The spring flowering kinds, such as D. Wardianurn, 

 D. crassinode, D. Falconeri, D. Devonianum, D. aureum, and D. nobile, 

 with many other species and hybrids which flower only after resting, should, 

 after completing their season's growth, be removed to a department offer- 



