Well, I been growin’ plants all me life, and when it comes to them fancy cymbidium orchids, I reckon it’s important to know what kinda soil or mix to put ’em in. Now, don’t get me wrong, these orchids don’t need no dirt like regular flowers, no sir! They’re the type called epiphytes, which means they ain’t rootin’ in the ground. They prefer to cling to trees or rocks in the wild. So, when you’re settin’ them up in a pot, you gotta pick the right stuff, or they won’t do so well.
First thing, let me tell ya, you can go down to one of them specialty nurseries and buy a mix already made up for cymbidiums. But if you ask me, it’s better to make your own mix. It ain’t too hard, and you know exactly what’s goin’ in there. Now, you want something that’ll drain well, but still hold onto a bit of moisture. Cymbidium orchids don’t like their roots sittin’ in water, but they don’t want to dry out too quick neither. It’s all about balance, you see.
One of the best mixes, in my opinion, is a combination of good quality orchid bark and perlite. I like to use about 80% of the bark, and then add 20% perlite. The bark helps with the drainage and keeps the mix nice and airy, so the roots can breathe. That perlite helps too, by making sure the water don’t stay too long in there, which is somethin’ orchids don’t appreciate. You don’t want ‘em to drown, do ya?
Now, when you pick the bark, make sure it’s a good grade—none of that cheap stuff that’s all small bits and dust. You want it to be big enough so it doesn’t turn into mud when you water it. A seedling grade bark, the kind that’s about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, is just right. And if you live in a dry area, where the sun is hot and the wind’s always blowin’, you might wanna throw in a little bit of coarse peat or sand. That’ll help keep the water around longer, especially if you ain’t able to water ‘em every day.
There’s also a little trick I’ve used for a while now—add a bit of lime to the mix. Just a little bit, though, ‘cause orchids like their soil a little more acidic. The lime helps balance things out, especially if you’ve got some peat moss in the mix, ‘cause that stuff can make the mix too sour for the orchids. You don’t want that.
So, once you’ve got your mix ready, it’s time to pot up your cymbidium. Be sure to pick a pot that’s just big enough for the plant’s roots. Don’t go overboard with a big ol’ pot, or you’ll be drownin’ ‘em with too much moisture. And when you put the plant in, make sure you pack that mix in good around the roots, but don’t press it down too hard. You want it to stay airy so the roots don’t suffocate.
When you water your cymbidium, make sure it’s not too much at once. Give ‘em a good soak, but let the water drain out completely. Orchids don’t like sittin’ in water, so make sure your pot has good drainage holes. That’s real important. I always tell folks, “Better dry ‘em out a little bit than let ‘em sit in a puddle.”
Now, if you’re tryin’ to grow cymbidiums in a place that’s real hot and dry, like some of them desert areas, you might wanna think about addin’ a bit of moss to your mix. Moss can help hold moisture a bit longer, which is nice when the weather’s always so dry. But remember, don’t overdo it. Too much moss can hold too much water and then your orchid roots won’t be happy at all. Like I said before, it’s all about balance.
And you know, when it comes to fertilizin’, don’t go throwin’ a bunch of chemicals in there. Orchids like a nice, gentle feedin’. You can mix a little orchid fertilizer into the water once a month, or if you’re feelin’ fancy, you can add some slow-release fertilizer right into the mix. That’ll give ‘em a little boost without burnin’ up their roots.
One more thing, if you’re dividin’ or repotting your cymbidium, you might want a mix that holds a little more water. I’ve used a special mix with cross-cut pine bark, perlite, and some added lime for when I need to divide a big plant into smaller ones. That mix holds a bit more moisture, but still drains well. It’s perfect for repottin’, so the roots don’t dry out while they’re settlin’ in.
So, I reckon that’s about all there is to it. Cymbidium orchids are a bit picky, but with the right mix and a little care, they’ll do just fine. Remember, no dirt, lots of air, and don’t drown ‘em. That’s the secret to happy cymbidiums.
Tags：[Cymbidium Orchids, Orchid Potting Mix, Potting Medium, Orchid Care, Epiphyte Care, Gardening Tips, Orchid Growing]
