UY MBIDIUMs 
ORCHIDS OUT - OF - DOORS 
Cymbidiums and many varieties of Cypripediums will grow well in the open in 
many states in the union side by side and under such a wide range of conditions 
as to have caused wide dissension among amateurs and some professionals as 
well on the subject of ideal conditions for them. However, it is generally consid- 
ered now that if one follows more or less a few standard rules and leaves the 
fine points to those who enjoy detail, successful culture is assured. First of all, pro- 
vide a light, open soil mixture so that the water will drain freely. This may be accom- 
plished by working in a mixture of leaf mold, Swedish, Dutch or German peat 
and old shredded osmundine. Be careful with sand because some soils will “cake” 
if sand is added to them. If grown under lath then the average light intensity 
should be about 1,500 to 1,800 foot candles or shade suitable for ferns, camellias, 
azaleas, etc. The reason for this is that as the sun moves, the ‘shade of the laths 
will move along the leaves providing periods of lower light intensity of about the 
correct degree. If your growing medium is well drained the plants will take water 
about once a week in summertime. A good way to determine the degree of dryness 
that should be reached before watering is to take a handful of soil from just beneath 
the surface and squeeze it. If it forms a cake the soil is too moist for watering. If 
it does not form a cake then it is time to water. In areas where freezing conditions 
are encountered during winter months Cymbidiums may be grown by a combina- 
tion glass house and out-of-doors culture. In this case it is better to employ pot 
culture and the same mixture recommended above or a bit more fibrous. In summer 
grow them under lath or trees that will afford the above light intensity and bring 
them inside when the outdoor temperature reaches the low forties at night. Don’t 
raise the night temperature rapidly after bringing the plants under glass. Since 
the shading applied to the glass is more constant than lath, a light intensity of 
1,000 to 1,500 foot candles would be the equivalent of the above recommendation 
for lath culture. The night temperature recommended for Cypripediums is ideal 
for Cymbidiums. If placed in the same house with Cattleyas or Cypripediums give 
them the position with the greatest amount of light. 
Prices quoted are per green bulb. Dry bulbs are charged at half the green bulb 
price. Most flowering size plants will contain from four to six bulbs. 
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