CATTLEYA AND CYMBIDIUMS

[mlvnapplehead1]

A new blog entry has been added:

CATTLEYA AND CYMBIDIUMS

I have about 20 cattleya orchids in my house and I haven't successfully grow them. After few weeks since I bought them, they start to die or the flower bud starts to turn yellow and eventually fall off. I have them indoors with indirect sunlight and I water them once a week with a fan in the room for better air circulation BUT still no success. What am I doing wrong?

[Brenda Aarts]

Hi MLV,

I would say that your cats. probably would like a little more light that what they are presently getting. I keep mine in a South west window and they recieve direct sunlight for a good part of the day. The flowers will last from a few weeks to a month or two more depending on the type of cat. It is difficult for you to know how log the cattelayas that you have purchased have been blooming as well.

As far as cymbids, I have 12 and most of them have flowered from Feb/Mar till present and are almost done. Am not really up on them but would suggest that again,different types of cymbids, different flowering times. Will let others chime in and you should get lots of useful info.

[AJW]

I have found that cats like stability. While the light factor down under (NZ) is maintained at around 30% the temp range needs to be no lower that 10 degrees C at night I find apply the little and often rule with both water and fert. is making mine shoot away. Try some thing different with just a few and if you notice a difference within a week then apply that remedy to the others. Yellowing can also mean you may need to check your fertilizer levels. Just be careful not to have too higher nitrogen. before your next dose of fert. wash the cats. through with plenty of water to wash away any salt build up.

[Zoi2]

What kind of pots and growing medium are your catts in?
Joann

[AJW]

6" Plastic standard with grade 2 (1/2") Bark