Attend to regular shifting, watering, and a free and healthy circulation
of air, without draught, early in the morning to stove plants. Continue
to cut down, disroot, and repot, as advised last week, those which have
been flowering through the winter. To be then favoured with a bottom
heat of from 75 deg. to 80 deg., and slightly shaded during bright
sunshine.
Some of the young plants in the stove which are growing on for specimens
will probably require a second shift, see to them in time; and if
they are in good health treat them liberally by giving a large
shift, especially to plants of free growth. Give plenty of air at all
favourable opportunities, and saturate the atmosphere with moisture. The
surface of the tan to be stirred once or twice a-week, and sprinkle it
occasionally with manure water, to produce a moist, congenial atmosphere
about the plants. Shut up with plenty of sun heat. Look sharply after
mealy-bug and thrips.
Achimenes.--The plants established in small pots may be removed into the
flowering-pans, putting six plants into a pan.
Orchids.--Increase the temperature, and ply the syringe among them, as
they will now grow rapidly. Be careful not to throw too much water over
those sending out succulent flower-stalks, for they may damp off.
Ferret out and destroy cockroaches, woodlice, and snails. _Calantha
veratifolia_, _Neottia picta_, _N. elata_, Phaius of sorts, some
varieties of Stanhopea, _Zygopetaltum Mackayii_, and other such Orchids
that are now making their growth, would be benefited by an application
of clear, diluted manure water occasionally; a kindly humidity to
be kept up, and the shading to be in readiness for use during bright
mid-day sun.