Cymbidium Growing Tips

[fisher60]

A couple years ago I bought a large Cym in bloom. After the blooms dropped off, I repotted and set it under an oak tree in the shade. Last year it did nothing except a couple new bulbs. Now..I have what I think are 2 spikes. In reading a few other posts, it appears I need to bring it out from under the shade of the oak tree and give it lots of light. What about feeding it? It has only had limited feedings of Orchid Plus fertilizer but regular watering. I would appreciate any recommendations.

[Bud]

did you try seaweed mix?

[fisher60]

Never heard of this. As a fertilizer or a potting mix?

[Cym Ladye]

Fisher60,

There are numerous posts on the use of fertilizers for Cymbidiums and if you ask ten different people what they use, you will probably get 12 different answers.

Go to the Search menu on the OB header, type in Cymbidium fertilizer and browse through the threads on this subject. I am sure you will find something that will suit your needs.

That said, you should have been fertilizing ALL SUMMER long with a fertilizer encouraging growth. Cymbidiums are heavy feeders during this period. The plant should also have been in a 50/50 sun shade location. Do not be surprised if you do not get blooms due to insufficient maturity on the new growths this season.

If you do not get blooms this season, still give it as much light as possible now short of burning the leaves, protect from frost this winter, plan to repot the plant early next spring in fresh mix and get onto a regular fertilizer program.

Cym Ladye

[RosieC]

I agree with Cym Ladye about fertilising Cyms all summer. In the past I had problems with that because they are outside getting rained on and I don't want to water them with fertiliser when they've just been rained on. So this year I used a slow release fertiliser mixed with the medium when re-potting them in the spring. I've then let it rain or watered with plain rain water knowing they are still getting fertiliser all through the summer.

I keep mine in a spot which is shaded in the morning then full sun by mid-day and all afternoon.

They seem to have grown really well this year, although one of them was flowering late in July (having not been fed enough last year for it to flower when it should have done). Not sure what it will do next year after the late flowering this year.

[Cym Ladye]

Rosie,

Your suggestion of using a slow release fertilizer was one I was going to make and then got totally distracted with other matters. However, results from those using it say mixing it with the media is not a good idea. It can get too close to the roots, it will break down much faster being damp all the time and how do you know when it has broken down and is no longer releasing fertilizer? My recommendation is to use it as a top dressing and replace it in the time suggested by the manufacturer.

CL

[RosieC]

Interesting info CL. I'll adjust what I do with the slow release stuff in future.