Cymbidium Ensifolium?

[kemistry]

What's a good orchid mix to grow these guys in?
Will a ready-to-use orchid mix be okay, or should I amend, or make my own mix?

Any tips is greatly appreciated.

(My plant will arrive in 2 weeks and this will be my first orchid so i'm very excited!!!! Now I'm off to google on its culture needs)

[prc11]

I use a small back mix with clay pebbles on the very bottom. However, many people just use regular bark and add a finer medium to it.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by prc11

I use a small back mix

Could you explain this?

Thanks,

Rodrigo

[kemistry]

prc11, do you mean small bark mix?

i've searched through the old threads on here and it seems that several members are growing them in CHC -is this the preferred medium over bark?

[prc11]

I use a small back mix

I meant to say bark, sorry about the typo.

[kemistry]

Just a quick update, my plant arrived today; I made a mix of CHC/medium fir bark/pumice and potted it in a clay rose pot. Hopefully thing will work out okay.

(Now I'm looking forward to try the Brassavola nodosa next .

[prc11]

I would mount the brassavola Nadosa, but what ever you try the Brassavola Nadosa will like it.

[kemistry]

thansk prc11 I heard many good things about B nodosa so can hardly wait to try it.

[orchids3]

Kemistry (Cute name)
Could you tell us what state you live in at least. No attempt to find your location it just that where you lived would determine what mix I would recomend. Have lots of cyms in Fla but sure grow them differently than I did when I lived in Calif.

[Cym Ladye]

Kemistry,

Orchids 3 is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT in asking where you live (Climate zone) so as to determine what your ambient climate conditions will be.

I always wonder however, why novice growers want to start with a species of any kind. Species of any genera are far more demanding in their needs than hybrids and as as a result, most often die from a well intentioned grower but the wrong cultural conditions. I have grown Cymbidium species for over 45 years and I have never had true success with any of the Asian species, not because of potting mix but because of climate. They survive for a few years but eventually fade away.

I do not want to discourage you, but I would Google every resource on a specific species and read every book I could find. Locate and talk with growers who are EXPERIENCED in successfully growing the species. Only then should you venture into another species which otherwise may cause you nothing but heartache and for which you may not have the correct conditions. Potting mix is only the beginning!

CL