O’Dowds Orchids Care Sheet for Cymbidiums

O’Dowds Orchids Rules on Growing Cymbidiums

·      Do not water the crown of the Cymbidium. Water around the plant. Let all the water drain out. We water from the bottom and put them in basins for 5 minutes – 10 minutes. One key to root rot is if you have too much media. Smaller pots where the roots almost touch the sides have just enough media to dry out. DO NOT USE CHLORINATED WATER OR WATER FROM WATER SOFTNERS. USE DISTILLED OR RAINWATER.

·      Bright indirect light at all times during the day. Ours are under a porch with shade but the light is all around. We use shade nets if the sun changes position and starts to shine onto the porch. In the winter we have Barina grow lights above and below them. 12 hours per day. We also have the inside very humid. We have a greenhouse that provides a lot of light.

·      Overwatering is easy to do. Every area of the U.S. has different humidity and weather. The top inch can be dry but deep down inside the pot it can be soaking wet. Make sure the Cymbidium is dry all the way down. See through pots help you to see the roots during the winter.

·      Water only when near dry. Or use clear pots and if the roots are white and wrinkled, it is time to water. During the winter months you usually can water twice a month. Soak during the winter months ONLY FOR TEN MINUTES AND KEEP THE POT IN A VERY WARM AREA FOR THREE DAYS.

·      Temperature is key to blooming. They must have these highs and lows to bloom, a 20 degree difference is best from day to night..

·      Many people repot as soon as they get an orchid. Understand this can delay or stop the bloom for that year. Slip potting, where you carefully slip the orchid out, and immediately slip into a similar sized pot, just adding media around the roots and trying not to disturb the roots is the best method. You can still delay a bloom or end a bloom for that year. Very little media at the bottom and on sides is best.

·      Media-large, so the plant can get air down inside. A pot with lots of air circulating above and below. I put ours on open metal shelves that are industrial and the metal shelves are open wired shelves. Air is crucial to keep root rot away. Large orchiata media is best)

·      Clear plastic pots help a lot in your first couple of Cymbidiums because you can see the roots. Brown swollen roots are wet, white roots are dry. Do not let sun hit the roots.

·      Best of luck. Enjoy. Have fun and you will do great. O’Dowd’s Orchid