Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
ORCHID ESSENTIALS
Give these unique plants the special aention they deserve!
3 such a showstopper You’ll find power and passion with this Gala Odyssey ‘New Horizon’ orchid. Something to brighten up winter days!
ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS Some cymbidiums are epiphytic and grow on trees. Others are lithophytic and grow on damp rocks. But most are semi-terrestrial, meaning outside their natural environment they must grow in a special medium in pots. Their roots operate as a support structure, rather than a straw for nutrients, and need a very open medium so their roots can breathe between watering.
Royale Orchids nursery in NSW (royaleorchids.com.au), recommends:
• 70% coir or coconut husks, to retain moisture
• 20% perlite, to ensure good drainage
• 10% pumice/scoria/ gravel/ash/bark, to ensure good air flow.
Living needs
• Cymbidiums love a damp environment, not soggy – more orchids probably die from overwatering than underwatering. Give them a shower twice a week before mid-aernoon when it’s warm, and once a week when it’s cool. Don’t put them to bed wet, as that can create fungal problems. Keep water off the flowers so they last longer.
• Apply a nine-month, slow-release fertiliser during spring.
• Put them in a spot where they get so, filtered, morning light.