Cymbidium Sinense
 

I was able to pick up a couple of different varities of this species. What kind of mix is suggested. I know this is cool growing and I have a evaporative cooler to help, but should it be kept under a bench in the green house or grown with seedlings under 60 shade cloth.
Any other suggestions.
Mike

Mike,
I also have a couple of sinense var.'s and grow them beside all my other Cyms under a 40% shade cloth. They don't show heat stress as does Cym. tigrinum, for example. The mix is also the same as the other Cyms: equal amounts of coir and medium size coconut chips, supplemented with dolomite and perlite. They bloom reliably for me btw Jan-Mar. Nicely fragrant.

Kevin

It is a misconception that Cymbidium sinense is a cool growing species. It is a hot to cold growing species. They are wildly grown in Southern China and Taiwan where Summer temp is consistently in the 30s in Celsius (mid 80s in Fahrenheit). In the summer, give them the warm, and water them well but must have a strong air circulation. But at the same time, you must keep the roots cool. If the roots heat up, then they will be toast.

In the winter time, for Cymbidium sinese, I will not go below 10C/50F. I would keep a range between 10C/50F-17C/62F. During the winter time, water less, but keep the humidty around 50-70% should do.

In terms of potting mix, I use the same Japanese Cymbidium potting mix that is composed of 3 kinds of pumices (kanuma, akadama, and satsuma). For Cymbidium sinense, I will add a layer of sphagnum moss at the top of the pot. When the sphagnum moss is dry, it's time to water.

This cultural condition is based on the Japanese mix and it is the only one that works for me. All other potting mixes don't really work. The growths are not strong, and they don't produce new roots.

I successfully grow sinense in conditions similar to those of Asian Cym Princess but for a mix I use classic Orchiata and 20% #3 Sponge rok. Top with spagnum and use a tall Asian pot. Repot yearly.

Cym Ladye:

That is great that you can grow Cymbidium. I have not seen your Cymbidium sinense, so I cannot judge the condition of the plants. What I hear from other Asian Cymbidiums when they grow in bark, there is very little new growths.

Also, when it is grown in the traditional Japanese Cymbidium pumice mix, you do not need to repot every year. Asian Cymbidiums don't like to be repotted every year. With this mix, you only need to repot 3 years or so.