Cymbidium: antidote to a blizzard
I feel a special happiness when I get a Cymbidium to rebloom.
It's not hard once you nail down the rules, but it took me a while to figure it out.
1) Move it outside in summer, into dappled light.
2) Leave it out till the last possible minute, just before frost.
3) Bring it into a lightly used space (spare bedroom?) where the lights can be left off and the heat kept low. I leave the temperature at 50F and try not to turn the lights on after the sun goes down, so as not to disrupt the orchid's perception of day length.
4) You'll probably only need to water about once every two weeks in this low temp/low light environment.
5) Buds start to form about three months later. The flowers take another month to fully open and last for several more.
Sure helps get me through the winter.
6 Comments:
Lovely!
The cymbidium is glorious. I'm trying to think of a perfect resting spot for the winter months. Nice to have a master gardner in the family! Love, Mum
Beauteous! And what it balm it must be against the cold landscape outdoors. Brava, I say. I'm singing "Orchid Queen" to Abba's "Dancing Queen" right now. I really am.
Gorgeous. Even just looking at the photos was a good antidote to winter cabin fever.
Beautiful! I found your blog searching for green soapstone countertops - can you tell me how yours are holding up? Have they gotten darker with age? Any suggestions? It's a large financial commitment and I'd greatly appreciate knowing your experience. Thank you!
elizabeth@trailingyarn.com
RK just had to tell me the other day (he felt it worth repeating, as he saw me lead some plants outside...) that not all plants like the outdoors. Oops. With this LA weather I can't help but think EVERYTHING likes to be outside!
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