Best Medium to Begin a Cymbidium

[Dede4925]

Thanks.

Originally Posted by estación seca

Orchids from seed are very different from other plants. For almost all of them you need a laboratory and many years. As a result, most people buy divisions or clones of plants, or buy seedlings from companies that either do the lab work, or contract it out.

Mericlones are sold as small, seedling-sized plants. Thousands can be tissue cultured in a lab from a small piece of a parent plant.

There is a Vendor Feedback forum here. You can read about a lot of different vendors and see which sell Cymbidiums.

It's winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Cyms tolerate cool shipping better than most orchids, but a lot of companies won't ship if it's too cold.

You might find Cyms in flower at your supermarket or a Trader Joe's. These are usually healthy plants at a low price.

---------- Post added at 03:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 AM ----------

Thanks

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Most cym growers, once a plant is large enough for a 3" pot, use a blend of fir bark or Orchiata or Coco husk in different sizes to match the size of the pot. That is usually mixed with a 5-10% percentage of sponge rok (perlite). Some also use a small percentage of pea gravel, sphagnum moss, coir or charcoal.

Keep in mind that if you ask 10 different growers what they use, you will get at least 12 different answers! A lot depends on your climate and your watering habits. Hot and dry climate will need a more water retaining mix; hot and humid will need a mix that drains quickly. A temperate climate will be a mix of both.