Orchids: A Gentle Introduction

Plant Care Orchid: A definitive guide.


An Orchid Lovers Dream

Orchids: Here's where I'd start.

Click here for Plant Care Orchid A definitive guide.
So many choices, where do you start? Here's my number 1 choice...

Orchid Variety: Genus - CYMBIDIUM

* Ideal in a cool, light situation.
* Can be placed outdoors in a shaded place for the summer but must be kept well watered.
* Flowers every winter and spring for between 6 and 8 weeks with tall sprays of blooms in a wide variety of colors.
* Very popular when used as corsage orchids.
* Can grow large over time.

CARE FOR CYMBIDIUM
Cymbidium orchids are always popular with their beautiful flowers lasting many weeks.
They grow best in a cool conservatory and should be placed outdoors in the summer.
They flower most in the winter and spring although there are also summer and autumn varieties also.
Standard varieties can grow into large plants with large flowers and bulbs.
Miniature or compact varieties are more manageable. Cymbidium orchids should be re-potted in the spring after flowering when they have outgrown their pots about every 2 to 3 years.

This variety of orchid should be kept cool in summer and kept outdoors to aid re-flowering and given lots of light in winter.
Keeping them too warm will prevent the orchid from flowering.
When the blooms die off, trim the stem right down to the base.
The next generation of flowers will grow from the next pseudobulb that the plant produces.

TEMPERATURE:
Cymbidiums like a minimum temperature of 8°C (45°F) in winter to expose them to enough of a change in conditions from the warm summer, when a maximum temperature of 30°C (85°F) is enough.

LIGHTING CONDITIONS:
Try to keep from bright, direct summer sunlight as this can scorch the leaves. Expose them to as much light possible during the dark winter months.

WATERING:
Try to keep the free draining bark compost moist with more frequent watering during the spring and summer, their main growing season.
When watering, let the water drain right through before returning it back in it's planter. Avoid letting the pot stand in water.
Let the bark compost to dry out slightly before watering again. Try to avoid water collecting in the crown of the plant as this may result in the plant rotting.
Add a little orchid fertilizer to the water once every 2 or 3 (approx. every 10-14 days) from March to September.

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As ever,
Good Luck!

Jerry