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 Cali- 
fornia 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 admix- 
ture 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 benefitted 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 sprink- 
ling 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 essential to the well-being of Cymbidiums. The 
matter of how often to water naturally 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 suffi- 
cient. Further inland, in hot weather, the plants may 
require soaking every week or ten days. Plants in 
containers, especially clay pots, of course, will re- 
quire 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 sprinkling to moisten the foliage and cool 
(3) 
