Coming from tropical America, the genus Odontoglossum contains 250 species of epiphytic orchids, many of which make extremely beautiful flowering houseplants. In general, they have a creeping rhizome that produces flattened, egg-shaped pseudobulbs. Arising from the top of each pseudobulb are deeply folded, strap-shaped leaves, while arching flowering stems appear from the base, carrying up to 30 long-lasting blooms.

Extremely popular is Odontoglossum grande, the tiger orchid with flowerheads up to 6ins (150mm) across in an eye-catching bright yellow with reddish brown bars. The lace orchid, Odontoglossum crispum is another large flowering type. The colour of its blooms are variable but commonly they are white with a lip covered in red and yellow speckles. Odontoglossum pulchellum, the Lily-of-the-valley orchid produces flowering spikes covered in a mass of small white blooms, which are delightfully fragrant.

To grow this group of orchids well so that they flower for a long time they need good, but filtered light and constant fairly cool conditions of around 13C (60F). To maintain a high humidity plants should be placed on moist gravel trays. A daily spray is also beneficial, especially if the temperature rises. When the plants are active, water moderately allowing the compost surface to dry before watering again. In the dormant period reduce the amount significantly. A foliar feed should be applied periodically during the growing season.

Repot every couple of years and if clumps are overcrowded do some propagation by division. It is best to take sections with at least three or four pseudobulbs making sure that there are signs of new growth.

timely tasks

Why not collect some seed from your hardy annuals, store in labelled envelopes, in a cool dry place and use them for sowing the following season

Buy some prepared hyacinth bulbs now and start them off by the middle of the month to ensure flowering for Christmas

Before sowing a new lawn, split the grass seed into two equal quantities and then spread one lot up and down and the other at right angles to get a good even spread over the intended area

BEASTIE OF THE WEE

While the red fox (vulpes vulpes) primarily lives in the countryside especially in woods, it is a frequent visitor of built up areas. A fox may be a nocturnal visitor to your garden, scavenging the dustbin, catching rodents or even digging up plants. These creatures often feel so at home that they set up their den underneath your garden shed.

A fully grown fox is about 2ft long and 14 inches high, with a red coat above and white below. Foxes for the most part of their lives live alone, with the dog-fox and vixen only staying together during the breeding period. One female will normally give birth to three to six cubs, which arrive in the spring. For the gardener, foxes can be a nuisance to plants in several ways. They can be trampled on, dug up in the search for food, or have the foliage scorched from the male's urine as it marks out his territory.

Obviously it is difficult to prevent such an agile creature from entering your garden but plant destruction can be reduced if you avoid fertilisers such as bone meal and dried blood among your planting holes and to deter them use proprietary animal repellents such as the pungent-smelling Renardine.