Help with identification

[littleflower]

Can someone help me I don’t have this orchid? I bought it at Kroger, it’s huge and gorgeous!!!

[MrHappyRotter]

It's a Cymbidium of some type, but without a tag, I can't give you any more reliable and specific answer than that.

[littleflower]

Thank you! Unfortunately the tag only gives The orchid grower (Gallup and Stribling Orchids), and says Cym. I Will search to figure out how to take care of it

[Roberta]

This is a standard Cymbidium, for which G & S is famous. The exact hybrid is impossible to determine, but the care for all of these is the same. Littleflower, you don't say where you are located. In coastal California and similar areas, it's "put it on the patio, squirt it with the hose when you think about it" and that's about it. It needs to be repotted about every 2-3 years because like all orchids, it needs an open, airy medium to keep the roots happy. (It probably needs repotting) This is the time of year for potting/dividing because it's likely to be in active growth. Small bark, perhaps with some perlite to help keep it open as the bark breaks down. They do like to be kept on the damp (but not soggy) side. They are happy with a temperature range of about 30 deg. F to 110 deg F. (a bit of shade at the high end of the temperature range helps) They do need bright light - protect from direct noonday sun, but brighter than most orchids. Ideal leaf color is yellow-green, not dark green. Fertilize weekly weakly, or just put a tablespoon or so of time-release fertilizer in the pot. If you live in an area with frost, then leave it outside until night temperatures are in the high 30's F, give as much light as possible if you have to bring it inside. The fall night temperature drop while days are still warm is what triggers blooming. (There are so-called "warmth-tolerant" Cyms that don't need that fall cool-down, but given the size and the source, this one is probably one of the standard ones)

[littleflower]

Wow, thank you so much Roberta for all the great information! I live in GA, so it will remain indoors. I will repot but can you tell me more about dividing?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by littleflower

Wow, thank you so much Roberta for all the great information! I live in GA, so it will remain indoors. I will repot but can you tell me more about dividing?

Outdoors is best for most of the year. It needs the natural temperature variation and light that it gets outside. Just bring it in when there is danger of frost. So maybe 3 months inside at most unless you're in the mountains.

I'm pretty sure that repotting is in order because to get to blooming, the plant has probably been in that pot 2-3 years, and the bark starts to break down. When it becomes mud, it suffocates roots. Fresh bark gives air and drainage. Dividing is very likely NOT needed, however.

As far as dividing is concerned, no rush to do that... can't tell from the photo what size pot it's in. I go up to 2-gallon (8 inch) pots maximum, then it's time to divide because otherwise the beasts get too hard to handle. If it's in a 1-gallon pot, it can go back in if it fits. When you repot, roots that are mushy, or that come off with a gentle tug can be removed. Leafless pseudobulbs (back bulbs) can be left in place if they are firm and green. If mushy or shriveled, they can be removed. If firm and there are lots of them, some can be removed to get it back into a reasonable-sized pot, but don't overdo it. If the plant is overgrown, divisions should have 3-5 pseudobulbs (including firm back bulbs) at least. But if it's not too huge, leave it intact. Don't overpot - if it is in a 1 gallon pot and fits back in, do so. If it seems to want to expand, you can go to the next size, but they bloom better when potbound (they like "tight shoes". And too much pot stays too wet so much better to do it again in a year or two than to overpot. Pack the bark firmly with your fingers and thumbs... no potting sticks. If you can pick it up by the leaves and it stays in the pot, you have done it right.