Orchids: Step One

Plant Care Orchid: A definitive guide.


Orchid Care: Where to Begin

Orchids: Give me a clue!

Click here for Plant Care Orchid A definitive guide.
A great start to your Orchid adventure is with...

Orchid Variety: Genus - CYMBIDIUM

* Can grow large over time.
* 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.

CYMBIDIUM CARE
Cymbidium orchids are always popular with their beautiful flowers lasting many weeks.
They thrive best in a cool conservatory and can be taken outdoors during the summer months.
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 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.

TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS:
Cymbidiums like 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 enough.

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

WATERING:
Try to keep the free draining bark compost moist with freequent 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.
You should 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!

Emma