Cymbidium Advice Please!

[Mehera]

LOL! Yep, too much time on my hands tonight--ready for a change. I think the squinty-eyed look especially suits me.

[orchid-man]

Diane ,if I remeber correctly there is only one cymbid that is terrestrial.

[Diane]

Maybe in technical terms, but buy any of the cymbidiums grown by the professional growers around here and it will come in potting soil... a highly 'fiberous' potting soil, but still, a soil. So for us, they are terrestial. Maybe that is just unigque to California because of our growing conditions.

[Petalsofsugar]

I have been reading this thread as I bought a beautiful cymb. earlier this year, Kiwi Midnight. I understood about the temp. but I was not aware that they are potted in soil. I have looked at the top of this one and it looks like very fine orchid potting mix. Can I get a break down of what the mix should be. This plant is a couple years away from blooming but it is really packed in there and may need a repotting before it blooms. Thanks

[Diane]

How about a mix of fine bark and some perlite. Since it seems using potting soil is a California custom, I don't want to have any cymbidium deaths on my concience... I pot mine up with some 13-13-13 time release fertilizer, then use grow or bloom in a weak mixture depending on the season.

If any of you get out this way I will take you to the big growers... The largest one has about 70 acres of shade houses and green houses. Because they are a wholesaler, I think I can mention the name, but won't just cause I don't want to violate any rules. They grow literally hundreds of thousands of cymbidiums which are sold all over the country in grocery stores, box stores, etc, especially around easter and mothers day.

[Mehera]

It would be fun to see something like that! If they are wholesalers, how did it happen that you went to visit? Know someone?

[Diane]

They do allow people to visit. I stopped in once because it reminded me so much of the grower that first introduced me to orchids.... Here's a photo of one of the growing areas.

[Piper]

Nice haul, Mehera!

The reason they're gross feeders, is that they can grow to HUGE sizes!Yours aren't that big yet, but be prepared for weed-speed growth!

Diane's suggestion about using your garage as a half-way house is a good one - both for putting them outside now, and bringing them in later. It will give them a chance to acclimate in both directions.

I wouldn't leave them outside when temps drop below freezing. Some may not mind too much, but I think it's just tempting fate.

Julie

[Petalsofsugar]

Thanks Diane for the info. I am sure it will be at least next spring before I will want to re-pot although this one is a nice size right now.

Julie

[Mehera]

Thanks McJulie. Do you grow cyms where you are? You seem to have a little of everything (becoming a lot of everything--but look who's talking)!

I didn't know they got HUGE, so perhaps (since mine can't live outside) I shall live to regret this! (Or perhaps divisions for everyone.)

By the way, when you guys refer to gross feeders, what does that mean in terms of what I do to feed my others? I'm doing the weak feeding with every watering thing....