i86 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



kept too wet, and spraying and s}Tinging 

 call be freel}' indulged in, but not indis- 

 criminately. 



Watering". The plants will now take up 

 considerable quantities of water at the roots, 

 but still all plants should be watered with 

 caution, for the whole secret of plant 

 cultivation depends entirely on the amount 

 of intelligence brought to bear upon 

 this branch of our practice. Care should be 

 taken that every plant requires water before 

 it is applied. 



Shading. Considerable care and attention 

 must be given to our plants as regards the 

 amount of shade we give them ; sunshine is 

 life to some, and death to others. 



Ventilation must still have great attention, 

 as I am firmly convinced that a regular supply 

 of fresh air is essential to good cultivation. 

 Excepting for an hour or so when the houses 

 are closed in the evening, I always have one 

 or more ventilators open, according to the 

 outside conditions and the different houses. 



Cypripediums of the winter flowering- 

 section, as regards potting, should be brought 

 to a conclusion as soon as possible, for the 

 longer the season of growth the better for 

 them. The summer flowering section, such 

 as C. niveum, C. Lawrenceanum, C. Gode- 

 froyas, Curtisii, and their various hybrids, 

 should be cleaned and placed in their 

 flowering quarters. 



Cattleyas, Lshas, and Ljelio-Cattleyas now 

 coming into flower should be thoroughly 

 cleaned and the flowering growths neatly 

 staked up, and, if possible, a house should be 

 entirely devoted to them where the atmo- 

 sphere can be kept a little drier and the 

 temperature somewhat cooler ; this will be 

 the means of the flowers lasting longer and 

 the conditions more comfortable for those 

 who wish to see the plants. Any plants that 

 have passed out of flower and need re-potting 

 should be done at once, providing they have 

 commenced to push new roots, or are about 

 to do so. C. Mendehi, C. Mossiae, and C. 

 Schroderae should be grown in a house a few 

 degrees lower than that in which C. gigas and 

 many of the hybrids are cultivated. 



Dendrobiums. D. Phalaenopsis Schroder- 



lanum, if not previously attended to, should 

 have attention at once and new rooting 

 material provided if necessary. The ever- 

 green species and \arieties which flower at 

 this season are beautiful and attractive 

 plants. D. densiflorum, D. Farmeri, D. 

 thyrsiflorum, D. chrysotoxum and others, 

 usuaHly commence developing their flower 

 spikes simultaneously, and by the time the 

 flowers are faded the roots from the base of 

 the young growths are somewhat advanced ; 

 at this stage any necessary re-potting should 

 be done. The plants, when well established, 

 should be grown well up to the light, using 

 only sufficient shade to prevent scorching. D. 

 infundibulum and D. Jamesianum succeed in 

 a cool intermediate temperature, and when 

 well grown are most beautiful and useful. 

 The other kinds are best grown in the warm 

 house. A similar compost as that advised 

 for Dendrobiums last month should be 

 employed for all the species. Exercise the 

 usual care in watering all newly potted 

 plants, and afford them extra shade on 

 bright days. 



Zygopetalum Mackayi and Z. crinitum, also 

 such plants as Bolleas, Pescatoreas, and 

 Promenasas, which, for cultivating purposes, 

 may all be classed under one head, grow in 

 dense shade, and where the atmosphere is 

 very humid, and the temperature averages 

 about 60 degrees. At the present time plants 

 of these species are growing quickly. The 

 foliage should be sprayed, especially on the 

 under side, with tepid rain water three or 

 four times a day, and sufficient water must 

 be applied to keep the compost moist. These 

 plants must also be protected from even weak 

 sunshine. The present time is a favourable 

 one for any necessary re-potting, using a 

 compost suitable for Odontoglossums. 



Odontoglossums of the grande, Insleayi, 

 and Uro-S'kinneri section which have 

 commenced to push fresh roots from their 

 new growth will need attention as regards 

 re-potting. Up till now, these plants, since 

 their last bulbs matured, have been kept on 

 the dry side, but now that growth has re- 

 commenced root action will soon follow. 

 This section may now be placed at the warm 



