Cymbidiums for dummies

[Nesuchambers]

Thanks a lot for the info on semi hydroponic. I think seramis will be perfect then, as it is very airy yet water retentive.

I took some pictures of the plant (I know the quality is bad, my phone is quite old, sorry about that).

Any clues about it based on them?

Cymbidium black spots - Album on Imgur

In this pictures you can see what I mean by black dots and like I said they are on the upside of the leaf.

It's the first time I post pictures, if I should have done things different just say so

[rbarata]

Cymbs are not the prettiest plants, especially when grown outdoors. They always get those spots.
I wouldn'worry about it... At least I don't do it with mine and if you saw them you'd be scared.

[Nesuchambers]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Cymbs are not the prettiest plants, especially when grown outdoors. They always get those spots.
I wouldn'worry about it... At least I don't do it with mine and if you saw them you'd be scared.

OMG, thats SUCH a relief. I was like "did I waste money on a virused/sick orchid"? Because I will already put it under stress with the transport, I feared it might not be strong enough to cope with both things.

[estación seca]

I looked up your weather
https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/SPXX0061:1:SP

Very much like southern coastal California, and near-ideal for growing Cymbidium hybrids outside. Where I grew up they are very commonly grown in large containers by entry doors that get some direct sunlight every day.

[Fairorchids]

Cymbidiums are terrestrials, they need a lot of water and a lot of fertilizer. They can be grown outdoors down to 0C (they will probably tolerate a few hours of -2 or -3C, but try to avoid it).

You want a light terrestrial mix. I use:

2 parts chunky peat (not the finely milled version you get in the garden centers)
1 part composted manure
1 part bark
1 part perlite

You can also include Leca nuggets, leaf mulch, etc.

Re fertilizer: In addition to the composted manure in the mix, I add a handful of NutraCote on top of each pot, and we apply 20:20:20 fertilizer with a watering every 2 weeks.

In NJ (same latitude as Rome, but significantly colder winters, I put Cymbidiusm outside in full sun in mid May, and they stay out till early November (unless a freeze is predicted). They have received snow several times, without suffering any harm.