Orchids
The toughest orchids are the cymbidiums but, though they’re relatively hardy, they respond particulary well to some extra care. Here are some handy tips for growing wonderful cymbidiums.
Aftercymbidium orchids have finished flowering it’s the best timeto tidy them up and prepare them for their new growing season.
Take a good look at the orchid and see if the clump is crowded enough to need dividing. Sometimes this decision is easy: the clump of bulbs is so full that it’s literally bursting out of the pot. Or, there are so many dead bulbs in the pot that the plant will obviously benefit from their removal and from being given the chance to make a fresh start in new orchid mix.
How to re-pot an orchid
- Remove the plant from the pot. Sometimes it might even be necessary to break the pot to free the orchid!
- Take a knife or another strong tool and use it to lever between the bulbs. Separate the clump into at least two sections. Remove most of the leafless, dead-looking bulbs, although it’s wise to leave a single row of these back bulbs next to the leafy shoots.
- Check the roots for damaged, rotted or tangled sections. Remove these.
- Choose new pots. Yates Tuscan pots are ideal because they have plenty of drainage holes. Good drainage is critically important for orchids.
- Pack some Yates Thrive Thrive Orchid Potting Mix into the base of the pot.
- Sit the orchid in the pot and fill around the base with the mix. Make sure that each bulb is sitting above the mix.
- Water well and sprinkle some pellets of Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food on top of the pot. Feed with Yates Thrive Concentrate Orchid Food every two weeks.
After Christmas, to encourage flowering, use Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Plant Food fortnightly. Remember, though, that after orchids have been divided, it can take two or three years for them to reach flowering stage again.
Orchid problems
- White, sometimes fluffy, mealybugs cluster on stem and in leaf bases. – Spray with Confidor (available in both ready-to-use and concentrate formulations).
- Snails and slugs eat holes in leaves and flowers. – Sprinkle Blitzem or Baysol pellets at the base of the plant. Protect pets by placing pellets in a pet-proof container.
- Spotted leaves and poor growth caused by viral diseases. – Best to remove and destroy affected plant.
- Lack of flowers – Give plants more time to reach maturity. Feed with Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Plant Food.
Make sure the orchid plant gets plenty of morning sun during autumn and early winter.
Comments (11)
Add a comment
This area is for general comments from the Yates Garden Club community. Questions posted here will not receive a reply from Yates. For specific gardening advice visit Ask an Expert
kath
Yates site member
16:41, 18 December 2009
very helpful
Tim
Yates site member
08:35, 22 January 2010
Thanks for an informative guide to caring for these plants. I need to divide my aging neighbours plants and this has helped me get started and to ensure that they will recover from the disturbance.
ian
Yates site member
17:54, 15 March 2010
How well would orchids grow in a green house in 150mm raised beds. I was recently given 3 dozen orchards and would it be worth while planting them in the raised beds?
Donna
Yates site member
15:55, 14 May 2010
thank you.new with orchids.only have one plant.the pot is over grown with roots.still flowering though.not sure what to do
Mary
Yates site member
15:27, 31 August 2010
When is the best time to split orchids?
alanna
Yates site member
20:35, 04 September 2010
what is the flowering season for orchids? and can i make an orchid plant flower prematurely?
Nancy
Yates site member
20:37, 30 November 2010
Thank you for the information this is the first time that I am going to spilt my orchids on my own so I hope i do them right. I will contact you if I have any problems Thank you
julie
Yates site member
15:12, 09 February 2011
what do i do now my little orchid has dropped its flowersafter about 3 months of flowering the 20 degree drop in temp was i think responsible - we went from 29 to 6 over night last week
Ronny
Yates site member
20:11, 21 August 2011
Nice article, I grow orchids as well and must say they're magnificant flowers, you simple have to love them. I even have a website dedicated to them, feel free to visit it: http://www.orchidscaretips.com
Ronny
Yates site member
20:13, 21 August 2011
...here is the link <a href="http://www.orchidscaretips.com">Orchids Care Tips</a>
Nan
Yates site member
06:23, 01 November 2011
I brought home a small orchid and put it in a sheltered mostly enclosed verandah where it gets filtered sunlight. Label says Cattleya Intermedia and it is flowering. Her we go.. I have a lot to learn.
Add your reply