Inherited Orchids (need help)

[legoman_iac]

Hey Orchirdians,

Have inherited a few gorgeous orchids, though not sure what they are, so not sure how to best look after them.

I believe their flowers are a lovely pinky purple when they flower, once a year?

Is it possible to identify them from the pics below? If so, any advise on how to care for them? Placement, watering, etc?

I currently have them in shade all day, here you can see they are on the shady (southern side, as I'm in Australia) side of a 2.5 meter high wall which runs East to West. Have been watering about once a week, slightly less often.

- Daniel

---------- Post added at 10:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------

Ahh files didn't upload, might be the firewall here. Will look to find another way to share the pics, sorry, stay tuned!

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------

Pics here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oc1z2o53r...213_160828.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oc1z2o53r...213_160850.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oc1z2o53r...213_160859.jpg

[estación seca]

I could only offer a wild guess. Look up photos of Calanthe, Spathiglottis and Bletilla.

[AnonYMouse]

You have Cymbidiums. Can't get more specific until they bloom. They may be native species (of which Australia has a couple/few?), imported species or hybrids.

This thread has links to basic culture.

Good luck!

[legoman_iac]

Many thanks estación seca and AnonYMouse. Yes, searching those species online, I feel it is more like a Cymbidium. From memory the flowers look something like the ones here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbid...ers_2000px.JPG

So I'll keep them in sheltered shade for now, and water once a week?

I was also a little worried as the occasional leaf would turn yellow and die off? Also noticed there's some dead looking bulbs in some of the pots. Should I do anything with these, or wait until after they flower, re-pot and remove them then?

- Daniel

[Fairorchids]

All are Cymbidiums, probably hybrids, and they look to be in good shape.

These are high light plants. I am at 40 deg lat N, and I grow mine in full sun (after hardening for a week or so in light shade). I do suffer the occasional leaf burn, but it is more important to get them the right light level.

Depending upon your lattitude, you might need to give them a light shade at midday, but no more than that.

These are terrestrials, so they should not go dry. You need to water well, at least twice a week (every 2nd day?).

They are greedy plants, so you need to fertilize every 2nd or 3rd watering (and a handfull of slow release like Nutracote in each pot would help too).

[Cym Ladye]

Simple rules for growing Cyms:

1) Morning sun, afternoon shade.
2) Water once a week in most climates during the warm seasons with a dilute fertilizer, or apply a slow release pellet fertilizer every 6 months so that each time you water, some will be released.
3) DO NOT OVER WATER. Too much water will kill a Cym faster than allowing it to dry out occasionally.

The foliage on these plants appears an excessively dark green denoting not enough light. Move gradually into a sunnier location. I suspect they have been in the pots for many years and will benefit from repotting too.

[legoman_iac]

Hey all ... after a looooong time, finally got these "Cyms" (?) flowering ... does this confirm the species (link to pic below)?

Dropbox - orchid_flowering_lowres.jpg

Also, what is the best thing to do with the flowered stems? Leave them on as long as possible? Cut them soon/now?

Thanks,
Daniel S

[Dollythehun]

Yes, Cymbidiums!!! Nice job Daniel!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Cymbidium = a genus, but yes, it is a Cymbidium. Probably a hybrid. Congratulations!

[legoman_iac]

Yay!!!!

Good to know what genus it is, thanks Dollythehun and Orchid Whisperer ... now to google best care advice on these.

Also had another pot, which had buds which went missing overnight, suspect some form of local wildlife. The stem has since yellowed, so guessing good to cut it off?

- Daniel S