. \U!l^ list, 1913- 
season. By j^radiuilly lowering' the tempera- 
ture and rc(lucin<4' the shadinj^" it will he luund 
that the plants slowly accustom themseK es to 
the different atmosphere without any harm. 
In nearly every greenhouse, no matter of 
what shape or construction, there can always 
be found a place where the atmospheric 
conditions are suitable for a resting plant. 
Sometimes the shade of an adjacent tree or 
building will prevent the fiercest midday sun 
from burning the tender foliage, or the 
shading may be greatly reduced on one 
portion only of the house. It is almost 
impossible to make every plant complete its 
season's growth at the same date, even if the 
various species and hybrids would allow such 
an event, so the amateur must take every care 
to select conditions of culture that will 
properly ripen the bulbs in order that the best 
flowering results may be obtained. Unripened 
plants are a continual source of trouble 
throughout a long winter ; not only are they 
the first to be attacked by disease and insects, 
l)ut they are most disappointing when, during 
the spring time of the following year, very 
little energy is displayed in the new growth. 
Sun and ventilation are equally important 
factors in the ripening process, yet while the 
latter is generally given in full quantity, often 
to excess, there is with the majority of 
amateur cultivators a very decided timidity in 
allowing sufficient fresh air to reach their 
plants. As soon as the bulbs show signs of 
finishing their growth, which can generally be 
noticed by the apex of the bulb or the flower 
sheath being clearly visible, it is then neces- 
sary to allow them a free circulation of air, 
not only during the daytime, but also at night. 
This method will cause the plant to produce 
numerous additional roots, and the bulbs 
rapidly swell to an astonishing extent. At 
the same time, they acquire that healthy 
bronze tint so much admired by all our 
successful cultivators. 
The proper time to repot a Cattleya is 
often a vexed question with amateurs. No 
definite date can be given, for every plant 
must be taken in hand separately and treated 
according to its requirements. When the new 
bulb reaches a certain stage of advancement 
2.59 
fresh roots will push forth frf)m its base, and 
it is just when these arc visible that the most 
favourable time for repotting occurs. .Should 
the plant receive any shock during the opera- 
tion it will not have many days to wait until 
the roots enter the new compost and restore 
the plant to its former position of health. It 
will thus be seen how very detrimental is the 
method of potting a plant several weeks 
before the new roots appear, for an equal 
period must elapse before the plant has a 
chance of recuperating itself. 
The roots of most Orchids are stiff and 
brittle, and will not allow of much bending ; 
any attempt to induce them to grow in a 
certain direction must be done with great care 
or considerable injury may be done. For 
this reason it will be unnecessary to explain 
what a bad practice it is to leave Orchids 
which require repotting until the new roots 
have grown to a length of several inches. 
The compost best suited for Cattleyas is 
a mixture of Ai fibre, osmunda and 
sphagnum moss, although good peat gives 
excellent results, but the difficulty of obtaining 
it in suitable fibrous condition is becoming 
greater every year. Many excellent results 
have been obtained by osmunda alone, 
although in some instances this material has 
had a burning and blackening effect on the 
tips of the new roots. It is difficult to deter- 
mine the cause, some growers ascribing it to 
the grade of material being too coarse, others 
to the salt water with which it has come in 
contact during shipment. Experiments have 
shown, however, that very little, if any, of 
this detrimental effect takes place when a 
moderate supply of sphagnum moss is 
included m the compost. Probably a neutral- 
ising effect is obtained by so doing. Poly- 
podium fibre often proves useful, but unless 
great care is used in watering it will be found 
that this material soon becomes sour and 
unsuitable to the plant. No doubt it is best 
used when well mixed with osmunda and 
sphagnum. 
Another difficulty with which amateurs are 
often troubled is, should a plant be repotted 
when it has a flower sheath, or should the 
operation be deferred until after the blooms 
IHI': ORCilll) WORl.l). 
