New to cymbidiums?
 

Has anybody tried growing cymbidiums in sphagnum moss with some slow release fertiliser added?

They are going to be indoor cymbidiums so won't be rained on. I had a quick look online and it seems fairly uncommon to grow them in moss.

I know I am in the minority but I do a lot better with moss. If I touch it and it feels wet I don't water. I really benefit from that sensory feedback.

Anyone tried this or have much experience with cymbidiums?

If you grow them indoors at a normal house temperature (confortable for humans) it won't bloom.
Cymbs need a temp drop in autumn to flower.

There are links to basic Cymbium care hereBasic Cymbidium culture (links)

I don't know if it's too common to grow Cyms in sphag - that may just be due to the size of the plants ... :dunno:
I always pot them in medium fir bark, and mine have done great that way.

I just received a bag from repot me. It appears to have a considerable amount of peatmoss in it. This surprised me too.

I know people in southern California who pot them in the cheapest potting soil they can buy at local big-box hardware store Home Depot.

Yeah, I can imagine they would be fine in peat moss or soil in a dry climate. There was a lot of peat in the mix they came in and there was healthy roots everywhere. I guess cymbidiums are not picky about what they grow in. I will update if I notice any major problems.

I'll chime in as although far from an expert I do grow Cymbidiums in a relatively similar climate (assuming you're not on the Welsh coast or Scottish highlands...).

As said above, the main reason people find Cyms hard to bloom is that they grow them as houseplants - the hybrids are not suited to that as they need more sun and cooler nights than they will get indoors, except perhaps in a conservatory. I'd think Sphagnum would be too loose for such heavy plants, if nothing else, plus it might decompose quickly with high levels of fertiliser?

I grow mine in cheapo orchid mix - usually Levingtons which is mostly bark and wood fibre, but not very good quality - though I've put one in a mix of leafmould and expanded clay this year (only because I ran out of bark). They are in fairly large terracotta long toms. I'll be putting them outside in a couple of weeks unless it turns cold again, and they stay out in full sun till mid November - getting all the rain that falls and some water in summer if I remember (not very good at that and they tend to go bone dry).

Years and years ago an excellent grower in northern California told me Cymbidiums grow and bloom much better when their owners are careless, forgetful and lazy rather than fussy and attentive.

I think I'm a living proof.:roll:

Rbarata's comment can be translated to "studied neglect"! To go along with those words of wisdom go "The primary reason to put Cyms in pots is so they won't fall over"! Straight spagnum is not a good choice in the long run. Also they are heavy feeders with heavy root systems when they get established.

My suggestion is to find another mix. There are many possibilities, but straight spag is not one I would recommend.