28o 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[September, 191 2 



The usual precautions as regards affording 

 water to newly-potted plants must be strictly 

 adhered to, for it is at this stage that very 

 many plants are seriously injured by the 

 application of water m too large a quantity- 



Masdevallias. The species of this most 

 interesting genus are not so popular or so 

 extensively grown as they once were, yet 

 they include many beautiful and curious 

 plants. Few Orchids produce flowers of 

 such brilliant colours as M. Veitchiana, 

 M. Harryana, M. ignea, and others of 

 this class. Those characterised by the 

 singularity and quamtness of their flowers 

 include M. elephanticeps, M. Mooreana, 

 M. Chestertonii, and M. macrura. The 

 majority of these plants are of easy cultiva- 

 tion, essential points being an open, sweet 

 compost, protection from strong light, and 

 that they do not suffer from drought at any 

 season. The present is a good time to over- 

 haul any that have passed out of flower, and 

 where a house is devoted to their culture it 

 should be thoroughly cleansed before the 

 plants are replaced in their winter quarters. 

 The compost they best succeed in is a mixture 

 of one part each of osmunda, peat, poly- 

 podium, and sphagnum moss. The strong 

 growers may have a small quantity of fibrous 

 loam, from which all the earthy particles have 

 been taken, mixeci with the compost. The 

 plants should be potted moderately firm, keep- 

 ing the base of the plant on a level with the 

 rim of the pot. The plants must not be placed 

 in pots that are too large. Plants that are 

 exhausted, or have lost their centres, may be 

 broken up and placed m smaller pots, and 

 when re-established may be made up again 

 and placed in one receptacle. The critical 

 time with Masdevallias is during the first three 

 months after disturbing them at the root. M. 

 tovariensis, M. Davisii, and those that flower 

 in the winter months are best left until 

 February, when they will be making new 

 roots. The plants should be kept on the dry 

 side during the winter months, but in no case 

 should they suffer for the want of water, 

 having no pseudo-bulbs to sustain them. They 

 are all best accommodated at the warm end of 

 the cool house, and delight in a supply of 



fre.sh air at all seasons. The M. Chimaera 

 section should not be disturbed at this season, 

 but held over until the early spring. 



Oncidiums. Amongst the many beautiful 

 and free blooming species in this genus few 

 can surpass O. varicosum, and none can excel 

 it for autumn flowers. In the case of newly 

 imported plants, or those which from any 

 cause are weak, the flower spikes should be 

 removed. Even established plants should 

 not be allowed to carry flower spikes for too 

 long a period. The spikes should be pro- 

 tected from slugs and other insect pests. 



Pleiones. Such species as P. maculata, P. 

 lagenaria, P. pra?cox, and P. Wallichii have 

 completed their pseudo-bulbs. They should 

 be well exposed to the light, and as the leaves 

 commence to turn yellow the supply of water 

 must be gradually reduced, the soil being kept 

 just moist enough to encourage the flowering 

 growths. Immediately the foliage has fallen 

 the flower buds will appear, and as they com- 

 mence to open the compost should be kept 

 comparatively dry, and the plants removed to 

 a cooler and drier atmosphere where they will 

 last much longer in bloom than if left in 

 the humid atmosphere m which they were 

 grown. 



Chysis. Every inducement should be given 

 the members of this genus to finish their 

 growth as quickly as possible by placing them 

 at the warm end of the Cattleya house. The 

 plants require plenty of water until the leaves 

 begin to change colour. When the bulbs are 

 well matured the plants should be placed in 

 the resting house with the Dendrobiums, and 

 only sufficient water should be given to 

 prevent shrivelling. 



General remarks. Preparations must now 

 be taken to place every plant in its winter 

 quarters ; each one should be so placed that it 

 receives the maximum amount of light, and a 

 temperature that suits its requirements. The 

 heating apparatus should be carefully 

 examined, all leaky joints made good, and 

 everything placed in readiness for the coming 

 winter. It is also wise to thoroughly examine 

 the roofs of the houses for cracked squares, 

 for these are often the cause of harmful drip 

 during bad weather. 



