Nearly everybody has a cymbidium in their garden. These were the orchids that led the way in orchid culture in Sydney in the 1950-60s with large Town Hall Shows. The large sprays of colourful flowers are what most of us think of when orchids are mentioned.
Originally all large or ‘standard’ Cymbidium orchids flowered around late winter/spring, but these orchids now have a flowering range of nearly nine months. The colour range ranges from white to yellow, green, orange, brown, pink, red and almost black. While the standard Cymbidium can grow into quite a large plant, the miniature and intermediate Cymbidium varieties have compact growth more suited to the small backyard or a balcony. Many of these also have a most attractive pendulous habit and are commonly grown in hanging pots.
Questions raised by visitors at our orchid shows suggest many people have trouble getting their Cymbidium to flower after a year or two. This is often because it is relegated to a corner of the garden or patio to fend for itself with no food, poor light, occasional water and crowded conditions. We wouldn’t feel too much like flowering in those circumstances either.
Like all orchids they require half-strength fertiliser regularly, up to weekly when they are growing rapidly in spring/summer. Water every few days to weekly in hot weather, less when it is cold and not at all when raining. Their roots must not be waterlogged so the potting mix should drain readily or root rot follows rapidly.
When the bulbs reach the rim of the pot, it’s time to move to the next size up, repotting into a good orchid mix. If the centre of the plant has died off it can be broken up and repotted into the same pot with the back bulbs potted separately. These may grow on to give a new plant.
Cymbidiums like dappled light to full sunlight but avoid harsh summer westerly sun, which burns the leaves. If you find the right place for them, they will flower year after year with only a minimum care.
The Eastern Suburbs Orchid Society has an orchid show on the third Monday of every month commencing at 7.00 pm at the Kensington Park Community Centre in Hall 1, 1 Day Ln, Kensington NSW 2033 from February to December.. Visitors are always welcome.