Cymbidium Cultural Notes 
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 considered 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, provide a light, open soil 
mixture so that the water will drain freely. This may be accomplished 
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 pro- 
viding 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 wateringe If it does not form a cake then it is time to water. 
In areas where freezing conditions are encountered during the winter 
months Cymbidiums may be grown by a combination 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 temp- 
erature 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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