THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
JUt 2 t, 
t WORK FOR THE WEEK. % 
t . t 
THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
THE; COOL HOUSE.—The various species 
and hybrids of the odontoglossums are now 
giving a fine display of bloom. The dull 
weather which has been prevalent has pro¬ 
longed the freshness of the flowers, hut, on 
the other hand, it has checked plants in an 
^vano^ state of bud development expand¬ 
ing their flowers. I have previously pointed 
out the injury likely to be caused by keep¬ 
ing the flower spikes two long on the plants, 
and I will only mention that the fact of the 
flowers retaining their beauty for a longer 
period does not lessen the liability of the 
plants to suffer from the strain caused by 
flowering. With a continuance of the present 
conditions outside, no doubt many exhi¬ 
bitors will find considerable difSculty in 
having their plants in full bloom in time for 
the sunamer shows, and where plants are re¬ 
quired it is best to give them a little warmer 
conditions to assist them to expand a few 
days before they are required. It is advis¬ 
able that all cool orchids that have been 
treated in this manner should have the cool 
house treatment two or three days before 
they are required for use. This enables them 
to regain any loss of vigour caused by the 
warmer treament. 
ONCIDIUiM MACRANTHUM.—There is 
no oncidiura more worthy of cultivation than 
O. macranthum, for it is most tractable 
grown in the cool house, and does well under 
the same conditions as are suited to Odon- 
toglossum crispum; that is to say, a tem¬ 
perature ranging from 50 to 55 deg. normal 
winter conditions, with about 55 to 58 deg. 
in summer. 'Die greatest difficulty will be 
found in keeping the house at the summer 
temperature mentioned, but every effort 
should be made to do eo. The temperature 
of the cool house is not so great a considera¬ 
tion to its occupants as obtaining the suit¬ 
able conditions of the atmosphere. A pure 
but practically saturated atmosphere is 
essential. The plants are in practically an 
active state of growth at all seasons of the 
year, and therefore require liberal root 
moisture, and thus annual repotting is de¬ 
sirable. This is best done when the new 
r^ts make their appearance, from the base 
of the newly-developing growth. We find 
they require liberal pt-room. The pots 
used should be well drained, and a fairly 
open compost with a liberal amount of 
sphagnum meets their requirements; this is 
made firm about the roots and base of the 
plants. The flowers are usually produced 
during the late spring and summer months. 
The long rambling spikes are best trained by 
having four neat stakes placed at even dis¬ 
tances around the edges of the pot, so that 
the flower scape may be displayed to the 
beet advantage after they expand. There 
are no orchids more serviceable for exhibi¬ 
tion than O. mac ra nth rum in a high state of 
development, or for general decorative effect. 
H. J. Chapman, Oakwood Gardens. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
ACHIMENES that are growing freely and 
rapidly approaching the ffiiwering stage will 
benefit by an occasional applicatmn of plant 
food and ©oot water. Allow plenty of room 
between the pots, and neatly stake and tie 
the individual plants. Grown in baskets 
they are very pleasing, if in the process of 
planting the corms have been so placed that 
some must grow through the moss at the 
sid^, these being allow^ to hang naturally, 
while the growth of the others are carefuliy 
tied out. As the flowers develop the plants 
may be removed to a somewhat cooler tem¬ 
perature, and every effort made to prolong 
the flowering season. 
nepenthes.—^T hese interesting stove 
plants are seen at their best when growing 
in baskets. It is not advisable to unneces¬ 
sarily disturb them at the roots, but when 
a shaft is required the present is a suitable 
time for their receiving it. They grow well 
in a mixture of Osmunda fibre or coarse 
orchid peat, sphagnum moss, and well broken 
charcoal. Carefully make this material firm 
about the roots, which must not be damaged, 
with the fingers, or by the aid of a dibber, 
sever when roots have formed, and pot up 
basket will derive benefit from having the 
spent surface compost removed and replaced 
by a top-dressing of new material. Subse¬ 
quently they will require a humid atmo¬ 
sphere, to be shaded from sunshine, and 
when growing freely plenty of water. Pro¬ 
pagation may b© effected by cuttings, or, 
better etUl, hj half-severing the stem imder 
a joint, binding round a little of the com¬ 
post mthin a handful of moss. Completely 
sever when roots have formed, and pot up 
or put in baskets, and keep the young 
plants very close until they are established. 
BEGONIA GLOIRE DE LORRAINE.— 
This begfonia is also adapted to basket cul¬ 
ture. Prepare wire baskets by lining them 
with fresh green moss and fiUing with a 
compost of fibrous loam two parts, peat 
and leaf-mould one part each, a little 
dried cow dung, and sufficient sand to keep 
the compost open. The earlier r<X)ted plants 
may now be used in filling the baskets. Turn 
them out of their pots and place several 
round the sides and one in the centre, the 
number to be us«^ depending upon the size 
of tl^ basket. Plant fairly firm, leaving 
sufficient space at the top for watering, it 
not being always convenient to remove the 
basket for dipping. Give a ©tart in the 
stove, afterwards, if desired, they may be 
suspended from the roof of a cooler house. 
Those to be grown in pots should be shifted 
on as becomes necessary. Plants to be 
grown in small pots for late flowering may 
now be raised from cuttings. 
OTHER BASKET PLANTS.—Among the 
other stove plants that may be grown in 
baskets are Asparagus Sprengeri and decum- 
bens, and several oif the cres^ and plumose 
varices of nephrolepis, including Amer- 
pohli, Marshalli, and todeaoides. Planted 
firmly in a similar compost to that above 
recommended, in baskets lined with moss, 
th^y are not only useful in decorations, but 
also, provide quantities of foliage for asso¬ 
ciating with cut flowers. 
VENTILATING AND FIRING.—In bright, 
warm weather ventilate early and fairly 
™ely in the daytime; a little air may also 
TO admitted with advantage on mild nights. 
Dispense as far as possible with fire-heat, 
chTOking the fires early in the morning in 
bright weather, and avoiding the too free 
use of them at night, always, however, being 
prepared for the dull or wet day and cold 
night. ^H. Prime, Hatfield House Gardens. 
the flower CARDEN. 
SUMMER BEDDING.—^This important work 
^n now be proceeded with safely, excepting 
m the northern and cold exposed districts, 
where a commencement is usually deferred 
until the end of the month. In the general 
way a somewhat definite idea is formed at 
the end of the previous season as to the 
arrangement of the beds in the following 
year, and stocks of the various subjects 
^fiich will be required are worked up. 
Variation in the schemes from year to year 
increases the attractiveness of summer bed¬ 
ding when tastefully carried out, and this 
should not .be a difficult matter with the 
many beautiful plants available. When due 
thought and attention have been given in 
this respect, transferring the plants to their 
summer quarters is very much simplified. 
and can be executed in a , 
ner saving much time and wor^^ 
Will, as a general rule, have I^b ^ 
by spring flowers, some of whi^i«,^*H 
the soil considerably, and 
^il. On the other 
decayed manure; this must ^ 
«qnireme«?offc 
kinds that are to occupy the diffpr»»«* * 
h^ been liberally manured *oild wodlf 
d^ppointing results, especiallv in 
of pel^^^iu^. and some plaits gZnZ 
their brUhantly-coloured leaves- th«. - 
usually seen to their best advanUee^i^ 
soil. On the other hand, many t«Qaire*!a 
manured soil, among them .being Womi 
fuch^as, hehotropiums, stocks, as^ ^ 
nicotiauas. Large specimen plaiite groin • 
pyramid and standard form enter lamh 
into most bedding arrangements of the ^ 
sent day. These, on being transfeni/^ 
the open, are most liable to damage tm 
winds and as planting proceeds, each m 
must be securely staked and tied. This tab 
up much time at such a busy period, bit it 
must not be neglected. 
DAHLIAS.—In most gardens dahlias Imi 
has been well dug and manured, ab 
needs but little preparation at the pm 
time. It will, in fact, be onlj neoeasin 
move the surface, and work it down to 
ceive the plants. They make useful atf- 
tions to herbaceous borders, and are oT 
used in an effective manner; their (mk 
is very appreciable when many of the d 
inhabitant are beginning to die down, 
with their wide range of colours it U 
sible to so arrange them as not to be 
trusive in any colour scheme. When i 
in this manner it is a good practice U 
work in plenty of rotten manure whn 
preparing the sites, and also to use 
fresh soil to work round the roots vWi 
planting, 
TERRACE SPECIMENS. — Agapanth^ 
myrtles, etc., growing in vases i 
for furnishing ffcerraoes are now 
very freely, and should be Iioecai^ 
supplied with water and 
artificial and liquid manure. These su^ 
readily respond to good treatment. 
Fiei^d, Wych Cross Place Gardens. 
Dalechampia Boexliana.^ 
it was first introduced in 1^67, this datoc^ 
pia was spoken of as a rival to tn 
settia, to which indeed it la ^ 
In both of them the showiest 
inflorescence is not the *0^ 
but the bracts which subtend them. ' 
dalechampia forms a plant of ra ^ 
right growth, and the flowere are 
the upper part. The floral leaves 
are of a bright rosy-pink colqnr, 
pleasing tint. There is a variety ^ 
white bracts. Seeds often ripen f^ 
young plants can be 
cuttiSgs also strike without difficulty. * 
notice. 
R eaders th « 
culty In , ,, 
GARDENERS- MAGAZINE 
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