THE OKClIll) WORLD. 



[September, 1912. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 



By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, Hessle, E. Yorks. 



THE temperatures must be mauitauied in 

 all the warui iiou.ses, and every uiduce- 

 ment must be given the plants to 

 make up their growths as quickly as possible. 

 In order to withstand the vicissitudes of the 

 winter season the new bulbs must be 

 thoroughly ripened and hardened by the 

 admission of light and air. The blinds should 

 only be used whenever there is a danger of 

 scorching, but the plants must, nevertheless, 

 be gradually inured to the new conditions. 



As the days shorten ventilation will require 

 more attention, and no favourable oppor- 

 tunity should be lost to admit air in all 

 departments. Fresh air is indispensable in 

 the cultivation of all plants grown in glass 

 structures. The amount of atmospheric 

 moisture mu.st be gradually reduced in all the 

 houses ; owing to the amount of moisture in 

 the outside atmosphere evaporation inside the 

 houses will become much less. 



Watering of the plants from now onwards 

 will require much more judgment and atten- 

 tion than when the plants were m active 

 growth. The wants of the various species 

 and the conditions of the growths of the plants 

 must be taken into consideration and the 

 treatment varied accordingly. To successfully 

 cultivate any class of Orchid it is essential to 

 treat them individually. 



The climatic conditions this season have 

 been all that could be desired for the inmates 

 of the cool house. The growing season is 

 fast advancing and the winter quarters for the 

 plants must be prepared. All the iiouses 

 should be thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, 

 and the plants should be carefully examined 

 for insect and other pests. Plants that are 

 partial to any position should be allowed to 

 remain in it, for if removed the results may 

 not be so satisfactory. 



The late autumn and winter flowering 

 Cypripediums are now pushing up their flower 

 spikes with great freedom ; these should be 

 carefully tied up to neat stakes. The plants 

 should be elevated close up to the glass in 



order that they may receive all the light 

 possible during the dull days of winter. Con- 

 tinue to give liberal supplies of water to the 

 roots, whenever required. Plants that are 

 root bound may even have occasional applica- 

 tions of weak liquid manure until the flowers 

 commence to e.xpand. Summer flowering 

 Cypripediums, as they pass out of bloom, may 

 be repotted. The present is also a suitable 

 time to repot any seedling Cypripediums that 

 are in need of it. 



Dendrobiums must be examined at inter- 

 vals, and those which ha\'e completed their 

 growth placed in drier quarters. Those in full 

 growth must not be allowed to suffer for the 

 want of water, either in the atmosphere or at 

 the root. D. formosum and D. Phalasnopsis 

 that are in flower should be placed in a warm 

 and dry position, where they will last a con- 

 siderable time in perfection. These plants 

 should not be submitted to a low temperature 

 at any time. 



The potting of Laelias, Cattleyas, and their 

 hybrids should be done whenever the oppor- 

 tunity occurs, and the plants are in the 

 requisite condition. 



Miltonias. Plants of either M. vexillaria, or 

 B. Bleuana, and hybrids of these most useful 

 plants, that were not ready for repotting last 

 month should be done as soon as possible. 



Odontoglossums. When these plants are 

 cultivated in quantity, and especially where 

 many species and hybrids are included, there 

 will always be some that require attention at 

 all seasons of the year. The early autumn is 

 generally regarded as the most suitable season 

 to renew the compost of any that require it. 

 A commencement should be made with those 

 that are in a forward condition. Whenever 

 the young growths are seen to be pushing 

 new roots is the proper time for repotting. 

 No hard and fast rules can be laid down, 

 either as regards compost or in the manner of 

 potting. Over potting must be strictly 

 guarded against, for a pot full of roots pro- 

 duces better results than one only half full. 



