Septomlior, 1913.] 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
very well known. The former is practically 
a self coloured solid red flower, while the 
latter is a solid magenta coloured flower, and, 
like the pollen parent, strongly scented. 
O. Thwaitesii is, and probably will remain, the 
most individual and readily distinguishable 
of the Odontioda race. Flowered on plants 
of equal strength, the former is appreciably 
larger while the latter is more floriferous. 
In Odontioda beechensis the colour of 
the O. Charlesworthii is fully maintained, 
but is clearer and brighter, while the magenta 
of the O. Thwaitesii is very much reduced 
in O. Isis. In these two hybrids it will be 
noted that the Odontoglossum parent is half 
Harryanum and half Pescatorei. 
Odontioda Sanderae further accentuates the 
solid, rich, bright colour of O. Charlesworthii 
and O. beechensis, while Odontioda Stella 
becomes still paler and more washed out 
than O. Isis. In these two hybrids it 
will be noticed that the Harryanum in the 
Odontoglossum parent is reduced to one- 
quarter, while one-half is still Pescatorei, a 
quarter of crispum being introduced. 
There is here in evidence in the Cochlioda 
Noezliana hybrids a brightening of the colour 
without loss of density corresponding to the 
lessening of the O. Harryanum and the 
increasing of the O. Pescatorei influence in 
the Odontoglossum parent, while exactly the 
reverse takes place in the C. vulcanica hybrids, 
namely, a steady declension of colour corre- 
sponding to the increase of the Pescatorei 
and the reduction of the Harryanum influence. 
The few Odontioda Vuylstekeae (C. 
Noezliana x O. Pescatorei) that we have 
flowered have been without exception 
exceedingly rich, although the Pescatorei 
parent was, of necessity, a plain one ; while 
the Odontioda Bradshawiae (C. Noezliana x 
O. crispum) have been incomparably paler, 
although in this case a blotched crispum was 
used. This fact goes to further emphasise 
the enriching trend of O. Pescatorei when 
used with C. Noezliana, and has a practical 
value to those who, like the writer, are 
struggling with conflicting and difficult-to- 
diagnose results. 
(To be continued.) 
ORCHIDS FOR AMATEURS. 
SEPTEMBER marks the commence- 
ment of work in the Odontoglossum 
houses. During the last few weeks 
many of the plants have produced new 
growths, some of which are now sufficiently 
advanced to allow the necessary re-potting 
to be carried out at the most opportune time. 
As soon as root action begins, usually when 
the new growth is two or three inches in 
height, all necessary attention to the compost 
must be done without delay. If this 
operation is deferred until the roots have 
grown to some length, and often over the 
edge of the pot, the amateur will not be best 
pleased when he finds it impossible to replace 
them without breaking off the greater portion. 
Hence the necessity of attending to all details 
of potting directly the opportune moment 
arrives. 
Those who take an interest in the natural 
conditions under which plants grow must have 
noticed the important fact that the old roots 
are rarely disturbed, the plant remains fixed 
to its support, sometimes the branch of a 
tree, at other times a hard rock, and as each 
new bulb is formed so the plant, by its 
lengthening rhizome, gradually, but surely, 
reaches fresh supplies of food. Under the 
artificial conditions of cultivation with which 
we are obliged to place our plants there 
cannot be quite the same facilities for 
reproducing Nature, and so we are, therefore, 
somewhat restricted in the practical part of 
carrying out our ideas. Whatever this 
apparent disadvantage may be, it is more than 
balanced by the protection we are able to 
give our plants, for it must always be remem- 
bered that draughts, oftentimes severe, violent 
storms, and various animals, frequently do 
considerable damage to the plants when 
growing unprotected, as they often are, from 
these dangers. 
Now we must turn our thoughts to the 
practical part. No one expects, nor will the\- 
ever find, all the Odontoglossums in any 
collection to be in exactly the same condition 
regarding the new growth. On this account 
the work of re-potting should extend over 
