CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS are probably the easiest of all orchids to grow outdoors. They prefer a bright location with warm sun but do not tolerate our west sunny exposures in the summer time very well. I like to put them under trees with some dappled shade in the summer months and bring them into full sunshine in the cooler spring. Some gardeners will shade them with 64% shade cloth on the side of a house. They like to have some humidity but not so much that you create black spots on the leaves and bloom. Good air movement is necessary for full growth and regular bloom. I like to elevate the potted orchids using bricks to allow better drainage and aeration.

SOIL MIX for Cymbidiums is found in our special Orchid Mix for terrestrial orchids. Terrestrial means those growing in soil rather than hanging out of trees or clutching to rocks. It is a mixture of fine fir bark mixed with redwood compost and allows for good drainage and retains moisture.

WATER PLANTS WHEN THEY BECOME SLIGHTLY DRY, usually about one or two times a week, less in cold wet weather and a little more often in summer. You can lift the pot to see if it is retaining water, it will be heavy if it has too much. Avoid saucers that fill up and retain moisture or you can rot the roots.

TRIM poor foliage as it appears and cut out any dead bulbous growth to make room for more blooming stems.

FERTILIZE with (30-10-10) twice a month from March to August then switch to a blooming food (6-30-30) twice a month September through February. If you don’t switch foods you will have few or no blooms in spring.

REPOT Cymbidiums every three years or if they are crowding out the pots. They do need to be full in the pot, so don’t overdo the pot size, use a pot just one size up. The soil mix breaks down and your plants are subject to root rot or there just isn’t any space left for new blooming growth. Divide Orchids when they get too large RIGHT AFTER THEY BLOOM. If you wait too long…no blooms next year.

PESTS include snails and slugs that will make you very sad when they destroy the blossoms in the spring. Bait the area and move the plants to a display table or safe location. I had squirrels biting off flowers and had to put them in another location during blooming season, which is usually April-May. Aphids are easy to wash off with water or Pest Fighter Pyrethrum, a natural spray. Scale insects may be controlled with Malathion or Orthene, however they are usually not a big problem.

MOTH ORCHIDS –“ PHALAENOPSIS”

Phalaenopsis orchids form beautiful flowers on long spikes that some say resemble the wings of a moth. They bloom in a variety of colors, however white seems to be the most popular and largest flower. Lavenders and pink are common also, and you may find some striped varieties. The bloom can last up to two months, making it an ideal indoor flowering plant. They do poorly outdoors where the weather conditions vary from day to night temperatures. Native to the tropics, Moth Orchids prefer 60-80 degrees temperatures. Humidity should be around 60-70%, which is why they like indoor locations away from excessive heaters and drying air. A northern window is perfect, similar to the requirement of African Violets. Direct sun from a Western exposure can sunburn your plant and wilt the flowers.

WATERING is rather easy. Place your potted Moth Orchid on a saucer filled with rocks or gravel. Keep moisture in the saucer but not up on the pot. Watering from the top, once a week, is usually more than sufficient. Daily watering will kill your plant.

PLANTING MEDIA is pure Orchid Bark as these plants grow in the crotch of trees in their native tropical locations and get excellent drainage after a rain. Planting them in bark emulates this condition. Repotting is only necessary when the bark starts to break down and decay or the plant outgrows the pot. A small pot is perfect as long as excess water can get away from the root. Always pour out any standing water. You want to keep them lightly moist, but NOT soggy wet.

REBLOOMING is easy. Cut off the old flowers to the next node or joint just below the flower and it the plant will bloom again. Do not remove the flower stem until ALL the nodes have been developed, then remove the stem to encourage a new one.

FERTILIZING with (20-20-20) liquid every two weeks will keep your plants happy.

Cluster lots of Moth Orchids together for a dramatic effect in your home.