tember in most parts of the United States, the Cymbidium plant should 
be watered sufficiently to keep the compost pretty much on the moist 
side. It is very important when watering to see that the soil is thor- 
oughly moistened. Run the end of the hose around the inside rim of 
the pot when watering to see that the compost is thoroughly soaked. 
Soils with a high leaf mold content have a tendency of not taking the 
water when too dry, hence thorough soaking is necessary. During the 
winter months when growth is at a minimum the plants can be run 
considerably less moist. Sufficient water at the roots to avoid shriveling 
of the green bulbs is a good general rule. During sunshiny days, and 
especially during the summer months the plants will benefit from fre- 
quent syringing of the foliage. This keeps temperatures down through 
evaporation, increases humidity, and has a general beneficial effect to 
the plants. Dampening of the walks and benches is advisable. 
REPOTTING—A mature Cymbidium plant growing in a pot is 
generally repotted every two or three years. This is determined by 
the soil breaking down by this time and by the plant having filled the 
container with its growth. The best time for repotting a mature plant 
is as early as possible in the spring after the plant has flowered. If a 
plant that is being repotted has a compact growth habit and does not 
have any, or more than a few, leafless bulbs it is often advisable to 
only wash off the old soil from the roots and shift it on without dividing. 
With larger plants which may have a number of rootless, leafless bulbs 
in the center (called Back Bulbs), it is generally desirable to remove 
these rear bulbs at the time of repotting and dividing. When dividing 
observe how the plant is growing and try to make well balanced plants 
of each division taken. From 3 to 7 mature bulbs can be considered a 
flowering size plant. If the plant is a desirable variety these back bulbs 
can be saved and rooted to form new plants. Do not be too eager to 
divide severely for it takes a good size, well established plant to pro- 
duce the best flowers. It is advisable to sterilize all cuts on the plants 
when dividing with a good fungicide. We sterilize with a Potassium 
permanganate solution and seal the cuts with Tree Seal. 
LIGHT — This is one of the most important factors in the successful 
flowering of Cymbidiums. There seems to be great controversy as to 
what is the optimum light intensity. A good general rule, however, is 
to give the plants sufhcient light so that the foliage is a greenish yellow 
rather than a verdant green. Do not carry this to extremes, however, 
so as to burn the foliage and have too many brown leaf tips. Excessive 
sunlight is one of the causes of brown leaf tips. If the plants are grown 
under trees make sure that the shade is medium to light such as af- 
forded by California Live Oaks or moderate stands of Pine trees. Trees 
such as Avocados afford entirely too much shade. Several hours of clear 
early morning and /or late afternoon sun are highly desirable. 
PESTS — Fortunately, Cymbidiums are subject to fewer pests and dis- 
eases than are most garden plants. Of course, care must always be taken 
to see that slugs and snails are kept under control. They are especially 
damaging to the tender young asparagus-like flower spikes. Orchid 
scale can be cleaned off with a toothbrush and a DDT solution. Spraying 
with a DDT solution once a month until all scale has been eradicated 
is advisable. Red Spider is perhaps the most persistent and difficult to 
detect of the pests. It can be found under the leaves where it sucks the 
surface sap and makes the undersides appear scratchy-whitish where the 
(4) 
