Orchids: Step One

Plant Care Orchid: A definitive guide.


Orchids: Step One

Orchids: Where to Start? The Beginner's Top Choice.

Click here for Plant Care Orchid A definitive guide.
If you're just setting out on your Orchid journey, here is my top coice...

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 a great favourite because of their beautiful flowers that can last for many weeks.
They grow best in a cool conservatory and should be placed outdoors during the summer.
They are mostly winter and spring flowering 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 and given lots of light in winter and be kept outdoors in summer to aid re-flowering.
Keeping them too warm can prevent the orchid from flowering.
When the blooms die off, trim the stem as close as you can to the base.
The next generation of flowers will grow from the next pseudobulb that the plant produces.

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

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

WATER:
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. Never let the pot stand in water.
Allow 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.

Click here for more information: Orchid Care


As ever,
Good Luck!

Paula