First Cymbidium: Cymbidium Showgirl… ??

[Califoutdoors]

Getting back into growing orchids after an 18 year absence. Growing outside, on the California coast, near Santa Cruz, in a little shade house. Placed a good sized order with SBOE, and included what they call an “ultra miniature” cymbidium:

Cymbidium Showgirl 'Malibu' (Sweetheart X Alexanderi)

This is my first Cymbidiumso I would appreciate some care tips (I’ve grown/bloomed many Catts, Oncid hybrids, Phals).

First is potting mix: I’ve always heard Cymbids, being semi-terrestrial, like a denser earthy mix. I have a fine bark mixed with large perlite—tight, but airy (ideal for oncid family) and was wondering if I should add peat moss or coir to this mix to make it more earthy for Cymbids…?

Also—I’ve heard over the years that Cymbids like wetter pots, but I realize not all Cymbids are the same… I was planning on using Phal type wetness, but drier in the winter as this plant will be growing outside with frequent lows, 38F-40’s…

Water will be RO with frequent K-lite at 25ppm N (5.8-6.8ish pH)…

(Hope to hear from Roberta as I know she grows outside in Calif too, and I’ve followed her for years)

[Roberta]

I'm honored that you have enjoyed my contributions!

Your Oncidium mix should work fine. Cyms like to stay damp but do like air though they're pretty forgiving even when the mix starts to break down. I have to admit, mine get the cheap bark (small size), with some #2 perlite to lighten it up, and if I'm remiss in potting it turns to mud, which doesn't seem to faze the Cyms much. The cheapie bark has become impossible to get recently, a lot of people are going toward coconut husk chunks. (I used to use those, then the quality declined and it needed a lot of washing to get salts out. Nothing is perfect or forever). My Cyms may benefit though, I'm likely to be reduced to useing the fancy stuff (Orchiata or Kiwi Bark) that I use for the fussier plants.

Cyms are heavy feeders. I 'way under-fertilize everything, to keep the Cyms happy, they get a top dressing of time-release pellets (Nutricote or equivalent) in the spring, then they get lightly fertilized with everybody else with no additional work on my part. My Cyms live outside, get whatever temperatures Mother Nature throws at them. They get rained on, and when rain is absent, "rain" comes out of sprinklers. Watering is less frequent in winter because things don't dry out as fast, but they still stay pretty wet even when cold. So, in short, my Cyms get no special treatment and do fine... coastal California living suits them.

One more note, light... Cyms are very high-light plants. Where you live, they probably need no shading at all. Mine are under 40% shade cloth because my yard really toasts in the summer, no shade all day. So a little shading at noon in summer if it is hot is helpful but othewise, they really do like nearly full sun - aim for lime-green (NOT dark green) leaves for best flowering.

Definitely, don't need to worry about the low temperatures, they're good down to about 29 deg F without hurting flowers. Check out this from Casa de Las Orquideas (Solana Beach)
Ice
Some of those that were in bloom through this rough week were in a show 2 weeks later, none the worse for wear.

[Califoutdoors]

Thanks, Roberta. You put me at ease. I always get antsy when I try a brand new species, even one that seems to flourish outdoors in Calif…

I’ve always loved carousing your site—so much spectacular blooms. But in the end I am amazed by your efforts, your energy, inevitably thinking, ‘How does she take care of SOOO many dang orchids?!’

[Roberta]

Thanks!

Cyms will be a great choice where you live... pretty much put them on the patio, squirt with hose when you think of it, and they bloom their little heads off. Nature provides the perfect climate - cool winters, warm summers, a cool-down in the fall when the days are fairly warm but nights are chilly.

At my house, sprinkler system handles the watering. Got a battery-powered sprayer for fertilizing, I'm getting a lot more regular about it than when I was doing it with a pump sprayer that I had to carry around. I'm sooo behind on potting. Lots of things mounted or in baskets fortunately don't need potting. (For me Catts do better in wood baskets with little medium, the roots run wild. A few are ready to be gently divided with s sawz-all whenever I get around to it.)