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255 SoutH BarRINGTON AVENUE, Los ANGELES 24, CALIFORNIA 
TELEPHONES: ARIZONA 3-6528 -:- BRIGHTON 0-4604 
CULTURE OF CYMBIDIUMS 
In our opinion, it is less difficult to grow Cymbidium Orchids well and have an 
abundance of flower than it is to grow, for example, Azaleas, Gardenias and tuberous 
Begonias, particularly in Southern California with our hot sun and dry air. We 
will deal first with their cultivation in the ground under the light shade of Oaks 
or other trees which do not throw too dense a shade, or better still in lathhouses. 
Where there is any question as to proper drainage of the soil, it is important to 
raise the beds about twelve or eighteen inches, putting underneath two or three 
inches of crushed rock or pea gravel to insure perfect drainage. The soil should be 
about half light loam and half leaf mold, with the admixture of some bone meal 
or well-rotted cow or steer manure if obtainable. When the plants are set in the 
ground, care being exercised to keep the pseudo bulbs well above the ground, and in 
no case too deep, the surface of the ground should be covered with either peat, bean 
straw, or leaf mold so that the roots will always be cool and moist under the mulch. 
The beds must not be cultivated as the roots are just below or on the surface. 
In the Summertime the plants are benefited by sprinkling overhead in the 
mornings. This overhead sprinkling should not take place late in the day, otherwise 
water may settle in the new growth and remain there overnight, which sometimes 
results in the rotting of the new growths. This overhead sprinkling should not be 
confused with irrigation, which is an entirely distinct operation. The plants should 
be copiously watered in the Summertime and never be allowed to become dry, nor 
should the soil ever get into a soggy condition, as free and perfect drainage is es- 
sential to the well-being of Cymbidiums. The matter of how often to water natur- 
ally depends on weather conditions; hot days and drying winds, the character of the 
soil, the age and size of the plants, etc., etc. In the coastal regions the plants will 
not require as constant watering as in the hotter interior regions. Normally, near 
the coast, particularly if there is a good cool mulch all over the ground, one 
thorough soaking a month will usually prove sufficient. Further inland, in hot 
weather, the plants may require soaking every week or ten days. Plants in con- 
tainers, especially clay pots, of course, will require water much more frequently. 
One cardinal rule must invariably be observed—never water if the soil is already 
wet. These remarks do not apply to light overhead springling to moisten the 
foliage and cool the air. An overhead sprinkling system with pipes below the roof 
throwing a fine, misty spray will prove distinctly beneficial, especially in areas with 
strong summer heat. During unusually hot weather, the sprinklers can be turned 
oD ange or several times a day, thereby increasing atmospheric moisture, which is so 
esirable. 
When the plants are well established, that is to say, after they have been in 
the ground for a year, mulch of cow manure or rotted steer manure can be spread. 
on the beds, keeping it away if possible from contact with the bulbs themselves, al- 
though unless the manure is too fresh there is little danger of the manure damag- 
ing the bulbs. The laths overhead should be about their own width apart, and run 
North and South, rather than East and West, thus breaking the rays of the sun 
to about the right extent. If the location is one in which warm or drying winds 
occur, it is a good idea to board up the lath on the windy side to a height of five or 
six feet, but this need not be done all around the house as these plants must have 
plenty of light and air to insure freedom of bloom. 
(over) 
