THE ORCHID FAMILY 
The Orchid situation was explained in our Fall catalog. It is getting no better, very 
rapidly. We cannot grow enough Cymbidiums to supply our demand and we can’t buy 
them wholesale. 
We would as soon keep what we have, and let them grow and increase. But we will 
offer them. My advice is to buy only in small quantity. They will be cheaper, but I don’t 
know when. It is comforting to know that when prices are down to one-half of present 
prices if you buy now you will very likely have twice as many or as large plants— 
established and blooming. 
Cymbidiums, and all the Orchids we list are “Terrestial.” That means they grow in - 
the soil. Cymbidiums have large 4” to 6” flowers borne on a stem up to 4 ft. long, and 
from 12 to over 30 on the stem. Well established plants may give 4 or more and large 
clumps up to 35 stems. The flowers sell retail for about $2.50 each and up. The flowers 
remain in perfect condition for 2 or 3 months. The cut flowers are long-lasting and 
may be used many times in a corsage if kept ina refrigerator between times. 
Cymbidiums have the typical orchid form in a wide range of colors. Accurate color 
descriptions of hybrids are impossible as all the seedlings from a cross are given one name 
tho the seedlings vary slightly in color. The descriptions we give are only approximate. 
Culture. Cymbidiums are from India and Burma where they grow in the moist 
atmosphere of mountains and foothills in perfectly drained locations. Under correct 
culture they are very easy to grow, but note the requirements carefully. You cannot 
plant them and forget them. The shade of a lath house, lath spaced 1” apart, 50% shade, 
is about right. They do well in this exposure, or even a little more sun in our hot inland 
valleys and in cooler coastal regions the lath may be farther apart. The shade of trees 
giving filtered light and full sun in early morning or evening suits them well. They 
need a sandy or gravelly loam of acid reaction. In preparing our soil we dig to a depth 
of 10” and the same distance on each side of plant. We fill this hole with peat or peat 
and leaf mould. This is thoroly mixed with the soil thrown out, wet a little and pressed 
down. The elevation resulting may be rounded over on sides. 
The base of the plant is enlarged into a pseudo-bulb, surmounted by the foliage. This 
bulb must not be covered by soil. Insert it to a depth of only about 14 of its length. 
The plant may need support until roots form. 
Set the plants in moist soil and water after planting to settle soil around them. At 
first, they must be kept only slightly moist until roots have developed. If moisture is 
excessive the psuedo-bulb will rot and the plant is lost. In warm weather, when plant is 
in full growth they will use more moisture. We sprinkle then a little every day or two. 
They make scant growth if allowed to become dry between waterings. But at no time 
should they be kept in a soggy condition. Provision must be made for perfect drainage 
in pots or garden. 
Customers are sometimes alarmed if the roots of plants appear dead when received 
or if roots have been removed. When Cymbidiums are moved, the roots usually die back 
to the pseudo-bulb. Roots usually start in about 6 weeks. 
Sometimes when moved, the inexperienced grower neglects his plant a little and the 
foliage dies. This is not fatal. The pseudo-bulb has only become a back-bulb. The foliage 
will never be replaced but a new plant will start at base of bulb in from 2 to 6 mo. if 
you keep it moist. ; 
‘In pots, they are reasonably easy. They can be grown in the same compost as 
required by Begonias or in soil as we described for outdoor culture. Give them a medium 
warm situation, not as cool as most plants require. We suggest an 8” to 10” pot. 
The plants we offer consist of a single pseudo-bulb and foliage. They should flower 
in two years with correct culture. We have had less than 1% flower in a year or less, 
tho it can happen. Even large plants when moved without soil require a year. 
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