"Among the more temperamental orchids are the cymbidiums, a genus of about 50 species that occurs naturally in Japan, throughout Asia and Australia, from mountain regions to the coast. Both terrestrial and epiphytic, they produce long, strappy leaves from pseudo bulbs and sprays of... coloured flowers from midwinter to spring, although modern breeding has extended the flowering season. Cymbidiums have a prominent lip, often marked with spots and blotches: there are thousands [how many ?] of hybrids available...
Cymbidium canaliculatum, native to tropical Queensland and northern NSW, is drought tolerant; it flowers in winter with brown and yellow, to red, or green to yellow blooms with the scent of coconut. C. madidum, from eastern Australia, sends up spires of small, star-shaped flowers in yellows and browns, while C. suave, another native species, flowers in late spring - as long as it doesn't encounter frost - with spikes of scented blooms. Orchids enjoy a crowd, so only replant - in fresh orchid bark or blue metal - when they appear to be ready to burst out of the pot. Cymbidiums, along with most orchids, demand good light to flower well. They all love the morning sun and if your orchid is sulking... move the pot to a spot on a terrace or in a corner of a room that receives a couple of hours of early morning sun each day. Don't water too much in winter and, as they all demand good drainage, never stand them in a saucer. Protect them from frost and in warm temperate climates they love to be outside. Feed in spring to autumn or when they are actively growing, with a fertiliser high in nitrogen. ... in this country, however, all native orchids are protected and you need special permission to collect them in the wild." URL : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23858829-13223,00.html **************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
