July, 1912.] 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



233 



ventilators. The treatment of this plant is 

 best described in the words : warm days and 

 cool nig-hts, with air at almost all times. 



Cool growing Laelias, such as L. pumila, 

 L. prasstans, and L. Dayana, are now develop- 

 ing new growths. If a light position can be 

 found for them m the cool house they may 

 remain there until their flowers show, when 

 they are best removed to the intermediate 

 house. These plants may be afforded fresh 

 rooting material whenever they begin to 

 make roots. They are best cultivated in 

 shallow pans that can be suspended close to 

 the roof glass. The Cattleya compost will 

 answer their requirements. 



Laslia purpurata. Plants of this species 

 that have recently passed their flowering 

 stage should, until growth recommences, be 

 placed in the coolest part of the house, and 

 in a position where they can obtain plenty of 

 fresh air. Sufficient water only should be 

 given them to keep the roots alive and the 

 bulbs from shrivelling, for plants which com- 

 mence to grow at this season very rarely 

 produce flower sheaths. They should be 

 kept in a dormant state as long as possible, 

 the growth will then break away much 

 stronger than it would if allowed to rush into 

 growth straight away. The young growths 

 of this species when a few inches long send 

 out a number of large flesh)- roots that will 

 readily enter and appreciate new rooting 

 material. Use a compost as for the preced- 

 ing, and take each plant as it reaches the 

 desired state, for the roots, if allowed to 

 extend to any length, are sure to be injured 

 during the operation. The same remarks are 

 also applicable to plants of L. grandis and 

 its variety tenebrosa after they have finished 

 flowering. 



Many Leelio-Cattleyas, Brasso-Cattleyas, 

 and Brasso-Laelia hybrids which have recently 

 finished flowering should be placed in a 

 similar position to enjoy as long a period of 

 rest as possible. Repotting may be done 

 with the same material as advised for 

 Cattleyas. 



Thunias having ceased to flower should 

 be given a position in a well-ventilated 

 house where they can be exposed to full 



sunshine, and be syringed twice or thrice 

 daily. After flowering, until the leaves 

 fall, Thunias are often allowed to take 

 care of themselves, and are put in any 

 out of the way position. After taking the 

 trouble to produce fine healthy growths it is 

 a great mistake to allow the plants to exhaust 

 themselves by such careless treatment. The 

 main factor in the production of abundance 

 of bloom the following season is the thorough 

 ripening of the old pseudo-bulbs. Water 

 should be freely afforded to the roots when- 

 ever the plants become dry. When the leaves 

 begin to decay in autumn the amount must 

 be gradually reduced until the foliage has all 

 fallen ; the plants should then be rested in a 

 light, dry position in a cool house, and no 

 more water should be given them. 



Oncidiums. The members of this exten- 

 sive genus are all evergreen plants with 

 flowers of great beauty. They vary from 

 large growing and gross feeders to small, 

 delicate, close growing members of the order. 

 The majority possess pseudo-bulbs, but in 

 one section these swollen stems are absent, 

 their place being taken by large thick leaves 

 growing from a hard rhizome. With plants 

 varying so much in habit the mode of culture 

 naturally varies. In the case of species not 

 possessing pseudo-bulbs, as represented by 

 O. luridum, O. Lanceanum, and others, all of 

 which flower during the late spring and 

 autumn months, the plants should be placed 

 in the warmest house in a position where 

 they may enjoy plenty of light without actual 

 sunshine. They may be grown either in pots 

 or pans placed on the staging. 



Plenty of drainage material should be 

 afforded, for when in full growth they require 

 copious supplies of water, and overhead 

 syringing may be practised on bright days. 

 The plants may be slightly elevated above 

 the rim of the pots, and should be firmly fixed 

 into the compost, although they must not be 

 potted too firmly. A compost as advised in 

 previous issues for this genus may be used. 

 This section of Oncidiums, on account of 

 having no pseudo-bulbs, is not the easiest to 

 manage when at rest during the winter 

 months. The plants should never be allowed 



