﻿November, 1904.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



333 



a long period must elapse before it again evaporates. If there should be a 

 doubt as to a plant being sufficiently dry to require watering, let it remain 

 until the following day. Always bear in mind that plants in small baskets 

 or pots require more frequent watering than those in large ones. Should 

 the water by any means lodge in the young growths at this season, hasten 

 to get it out at once. 



It is better to suspend all potting operations for the winter, for great 

 risks are run if the roots are disturbed. It may be done with greater 

 impunity and less risk in localities where the maximum amount of light is 

 to be had than in large commercial centres, where the atmosphere is 

 necessarily much heavier. Newly-imported plants must, however, be 

 attended to without delay. Clean them and pot them up, if only 

 temporarily, and place them at once in their respective houses. Keep the 

 surrounding conditions as evenly balanced as possible, for extremes in wet 

 or drought would be very injurious to them at thi \ stage. 



The several departments, if not already done, should be gone through 

 and well washed and cleaned, the glass and woodwork both inside and 

 out being attended to, and the walls lime-washed, while the plants them- 

 selves should not escape a searching examination for all insect pests. A 

 thorough good cleaning periodically not only increases the light which is 

 so much needed in winter, but is invaluable as a means of keeping that 

 troublesome army of ants, cockroaches, woodlice, slugs, &c, effectually 

 in check. 



A good many flower spikes are now making their appearance in the cool 

 houses, and among them are Oncidium varicosum and O. Forbesii. These 

 two species expand their flowers much better if given a temperature a trifle 

 warmer, otherwise the flower buds are apt to turn yellow and drop. They 

 are best to remain there throughout the winter : but if space does not 

 admit, they may be returned to the coolest house with safety if kept on the 

 dry side. Oncidium ornithorhynchum is also making a good show, and is 

 best under the above warmer treatment. O. tigrinum, O. crispum, O. 

 Gravesianum, and O. macranthum are about to open their beautiful flowers, 

 also those three pretty little Cool house pan or basket Orchids, Odonto- 

 glossum Cervantesi, O. Rossii, and Sophronitis grandiflora. Odonto- 

 glossum Edwardi, O. Uroskinneri and O. ramosissimum are also develop- 



The Cattleya House, too, in this dull month of November will stand 

 second to none in splendour. I think every collection finds room for the 

 lovely Cattleya labiata, and grows a large quantity of it. The brilliancy of 

 colour is truly beautiful, and as the light of the day varies so does it seem 

 to change the various shades of colour of the flowers. It is an Orchid that 

 grows most vigorously when newly imported, but it is advisable to be 



