help with plants

[tim abbott]

I am sending pics of 3 cymbidium plants I have had about a year or so.

I live in Cocoa Beach, fl & keep all my orchids on a protected northwest corner in my backyard under a big shefflera tree. I would not call myself a serious grower, but I tend to have pretty good luck with my plants. I have phal, oncidium, catt, & several little plants that are hybreds mixed with catt. I water all the orchids once a week , fertilize with a weak water soluable mix about every 4th week. All pots have excellent drainage

I was given these, they came from LA Calif, & they were all clumped up in one pot. I divided them(too aggressivly I think) & they have new growth that has appered in the last few months.

As you can see they are all in different types of pots & I saw the one hase dark brown tips now.

So my question is with the hot Fl summer coming should I move them inside? Should I change watering schedule?
Do they like a specific medium?

As always thanks for informative advice I have received from your members.

Tim Abbott

[RosieC]

Hi Tim,

I'm afraid I've not kept cymbidiums so can't help. But I thought I would bumb this up for you in the hope someone else can.

[tim abbott]

Thank you RosieC I appreciate the "bump"

Tim Abbott

[orchids3]

Well I do grow cym's in Fla - around 2000 of them and have given lectures on culture. Due to the heat in Florida you really need to be a stickler for proper technique to have any success at all. 1. never let them dry out completely. 2. Fertilize heavily around 125 to 150 ppm when the plants are growing. 3. control the pH of your media it should be between 6.8 and 7.2. Lower pH is deadly to cymbidiums - the roots die. If you will put a tablespoon of Dolomite Lime on top of each gallon pot this will take care of itself pretty much. 4. Shade should be 50%. 5. Keep the plants high enough off the ground so that no part of it is closer than 18 inches to the ground. Soil born bacteria, funguses and viruses will infect cymbidiums - they dont do well when infected.
6. Buy the right cymbidiums - a lot of cymbidiums will not bloom in Florida - I posted a thing called Cymbidiums for Florida in the Cymbidium social group - Would be glad to repost here if anyone is interested.

[tim abbott]

Orchids3,

Thanks for the tips, I will try your advice & pay more attention to them. They have grown quite a bit since I divided the plant. They were never intended for this climate so if I get any blooms I will be a happy guy.

Tim Abbott

[Des]

Usually when asked by novices what the secret is to growing cyms successfully my answer is" ATTENTION TO DETAIL" So if you keep to Orchids 3 "Detail" you wont go far wrong. Also keep track of what you do from day to day month to month in a diary this helps you to keep track year to year

[orchids3]

I might add that the potting media should drain fast and well but maintain some moisture - I use 50 % stalite gravel and 50%Coconut husk chips. Place the pot in a pan of water 1 1/2 inch deep for a gallon pot. I like to mist my plants lightly just before the sun comes up and after the sun is off the plants in the evening - if it doesnt rain as it often does in Florida. Some people use dirt or peat moss mixes but dont do it in Florida .