CYMBIDIUM POTTING MIX AND FEEDING 
_ In growing Cymbidiums, as in growing any plant, an item of major 
Importance is the compost or mixture in which the plants are grown. The 
number of mixtures used are as different as the people who compile them. 
Other things being equal (the amount of water, aeration, light, etc.), all 
these different mixes will give good results. 
After many years of trial and error, we found that in the mixes we had 
used, the component parts were not standard and would vary greatly from 
year to year, giving varied results. We make no apologies for feeding; for 
we feel that those persons who say they do not feed are not being exactly 
right in making the statement. If they were not feeding the plant, they would 
plant in a mix of rock or other inert materials. To say that the orchid plants 
do not require feeding is erroneous, for there is not any place in nature 
where a plant or animal does not require nutrient, or is starved to make it 
produce. 
We have always felt that it seemed strange that nutrients were added to 
the agar to feed seedlings as the seed germinated, but upon taking the plants 
from the flask, they would no longer be fed. 
To determine the amount of feed to use and also to learn how often to 
feed, and what mix to use to hold the plant while it was growing and being 
fed, and in an effort to get a mix that would be the same from year to year 
that would contain the proper balance of moisture and optimum amount of 
fertilizer throughout the year and that would also remain stable for a suit- 
able period of time, we called in a consultant on soils to design a mix. 
In designing such a compost, Mr. Matkin, our consultant, pointed out 
that all plants had the same basic requirements from a soil mix: 1. Water; 
2. Oxygen (air); 3. Mineral nutrient; 4. Physical support. 
Thus the ideal growing medium must consist of two fundamental parts: 
I. The physical portion, which insures adequate moisture retention, 
plus excellent aeration. These are of first importance in obtaining 
root development. 
2. The chemical portion which supplies the required elements for plant 
growth and development. 
These minerals and water are the only materials taken up by the plant 
roots. Organic materials affect only the physical structure of the media until 
such time as they have decomposed to provide soluble minerals. They are 
then no longer organic. 
There are also some other considerations in designing a superlative 
Cymbidium mix: 
Freedom from disease. 
Freedom from weeds. 
Freedom from insects and slug and snail eggs. 
Light in weight (low density). 
Uniformity and reliability chemically and physically. 
Fertility high without being excessive. 
Stability — material that does not readily decompose with resultant 
poor aeration or excessive mineral nutrient release. 
Ease of potting and repotting. 
Material that can be watered heavily without fear of reducing aera- 
tion. 
Readily available at economic rates. 
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