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The first
cymbidiums to bloom are miniatures,
which top out at 2 feet.
They do well
indoors in warm, sunny spots like south-
or west-facing windows.
Standard cymbidiums have large,
dramatic, long-lasting flowers
(eight weeks or more is a
typical bloom time) and
graceful, strappy leaves.
They're blissfully easy to care
for too.
But they need some
chill during the fall to set
flower buds. They're happier
outdoors than indoors--as long
as temperatures don't drop much
below 32[degrees] or rise above
100[degrees] for more than a few
hours.
In
frost-free areas, all cymbidiums
can grow outdoors through
winter. Elsewhere,
protect them from cold by placing
containers in a greenhouse or under deep
overhangs. In summer, they thrive on
lath-covered patios.
Standard
cymbidiums are sold in 8-to 10-inch
pots, miniatures in 6-inch pots. BLOOM
TIME: September-January (miniatures),
February--early May (standards). LIGHT:
As much as possible, without burning
leaves. |
Plants with
yellow-green leaves usually flower best.
TEMPERATURE: Minis: 70[degrees] or
higher (day), 600 (night). Standards:
60[degrees]--75[degrees] (day),
50[degrees]--55[degrees](night) is
ideal, but higher summertime
temperatures (to 90[degrees] or so) and
near-freezing winter temperatures are
tolerated if plants are sheltered.
POTTING MIX: Packaged cymbidium mix. Or
fine-grade fir bark mixed with peat moss
or perlite or both. WATERING: Keep soil
moist during growing season,
March-September. In winter, water just
enough to keep bulbs from shriveling.
FEEDING: January-July, feed with
complete liquid fertilizer high in
nitrogen every 10 days to 2 weeks;
August-December, feed as frequently with
low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Orchids
for the holidays - growing cymbidiums
Grow
miniature cymbidiums for exotic bloom
outdoors or in the house
One look at the exquisite flowers of
cymbidiums explains why they are
favorites of gardeners who grow them
outdoors in mild-winter areas of the
West. These cool-season orchids are easy
to grow, particularly in coastal
gardens, and they bloom with very little
care.
Standard cymbidiums grow 3 to 4 feet
tall, have long, strappy leaves, and
produce large flowers 3 to 5 inches
across. Bloom season for standards
usually runs from early winter to
spring.
Less well known are the miniatures,
which bloom earlier than the standards;
their peak season is November to January
- just in time for the holidays. These
plants are generally restrained in size,
usually growing 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall,
with flower spikes 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet
long.
The flowers of miniature cymbidiums are
also smaller - 1 to 3 inches across -
and appear in greater numbers than the
flowers on standards, with some
miniature varieties producing as many as
42 flowers per spike. Some miniatures
may also produce two spikes per bulb.
The flowers come in nearly every color
(except blue and true black), including
new shades of apricot and orange. The
blooms of most miniature cymbidiums have
dark, contrasting lips, but you'll also
find a few albino flowers - with no
contrasting lip color - such as Golden
Elf 'Sundust', a clear yellow variety,
and Lovely Bunny 'Othello'.

Cymbidium Orchid |
Breeders have been improving miniature
cymbidiums by creating hybrid plants
with enhanced fragrance, repeat bloom
habit, and greater heat tolerance -
characteristics that are found in Golden
Elf 'Sundust', Peter Pan 'Green-sleeves'
(green with a maroon lip), and 'Nut'
(light tan to chocolate brown). All the
hybrids in this new group grow about 14
inches tall, and bloom when nighttime
temperatures are in the upper 50s.
Many
nurseries and garden centers
sell miniature cymbidiums during
the bloom season. |
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You can also order them through
catalogs, which is one of the best ways
to obtain unusual varieties; for
sources, see page 96. Orchid society
shows and sales also offer a great
selection. |
GROWING TIPS
In Sunset climate zones 15 through 24 -
from coastal Northern California to San
Diego - cymbidiums are a cinch to grow,
as long as they're protected from
temperatures below 30 [degrees] and
given bright light but not midday sun.
When temperatures drop below freezing,
the best place for cymbidiums is under
the eaves or on a covered patio.
In hot inland areas and colder climates,
cymbidiums need extra care. Since
miniature cymbidiums tolerate higher
temperatures than standards do, they
fare better in inland areas. But they'll
need watering more often there than in
cooler climates, and a more humid
environment during especially hot
spells.
In the Pacific Northwest and in
cold-winter areas, you can leave
cymbidiums outdoors until temperatures
below 30 [degrees] are predicted; then
bring plants indoors to a bright
location. This should give them the
chilling - a differential of at least 20
[degrees] - they need to set flower
spikes. Next spring, move plants
outdoors again. Other options are to
grow them in a cool greenhouse or to
choose one of the new heat-tolerant
hybrids suited for indoor culture.
Besides bright light, cymbidiums need
regular water and fertilizer to produce
a mass of blooms. The Rod McLellan
Company prefers to grow its miniature
cymbidiums in 6-inch pots. When the
plants outgrow the pots, they are
divided and sections are replanted in
the same pots. Some gardeners choose to
grow them in 2-gallon containers.
Plants in 6-inch pots or in warm areas
need watering two or three times a week.
Plants in 1- or 2-gallon cans usually
need watering about once a week in
coastal areas. Each time you water, soak
the potting mix thoroughly; avoid
getting water on the leaves. Cut back on
watering during the winter.
Most orchid growers recommend
feeding with high-nitrogen fertilizer
(30-10-10 or 25-9-9) from New Year's Day
to the Fourth of July and with
low-nitrogen fertilizer (6-30-30 or
6-25-25) from the Fourth of July through
the end of the year. Apply it weekly,
diluted by half the recommended rate
(unless the label already lists a
dilution for weekly feedings).
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If you don't
want to bother with two
fertilizers, use 20-20-20 all
year. Make sure the potting
medium is moist before
fertilizing.
The major outdoor pest of cymbidiums is
snails; use bait or handpick. Also,
control scale and spider mites when
necessary.
Repot plants about every three years,
sooner if the medium has decomposed. Do
this after bloom has finished but before
midsummer.
COPYRIGHT Sunset Publishing Corp. & Gale Group |
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