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POTTING:
Use a potting medium that gives excellent
drainage, yet retains some moisture; fine fir bark, or fir bark used
in combination with perlite is good; a commercially prepared cymbidium
mix is also fine. To maintain good drainage, repot in fresh medium
every 2-3 years, in spring right after blooming. When repotting, pot
size should be just large enough to accomodate 3 years more growth;
no larger.
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WATERING:
Keep plants well watered during warm weather,
in periods of active growth; potting medium should never be allowed
to completely dry out, but do not keep the plants constantly wet,
either. Gradually reduce frequency of watering in fall as temperatures
decrease. As temperatures rise again in spring, resume more frequent
watering.
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FERTILIZING:
Cymbidiums may be fed with a high-nitrogen
formula (30-10-10, for example) from spring to mid summer; then changed
to a high bloom formula (5-30-10, for example) for the balance of
the year. Alternately, to simplify, you can obtain good results by
using a soluble (20-20-20, or 20-10-20 for example) formula throughout
the year, or osmocote granules every 4 months. Half strength works
best.
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LIGHT & LOCATION:
Strong light is necessary for good flower
production. Grow in an area with strong light (8,000fc) all day if
possible, but watch your plants carefully to make sure that they do
not yellow or burn. Inland, grow under light shade to protect the
plants from the hot afternoon sun. Sturdy medium green foliage, with
perhaps a bit of yellow during the summer, indicates the correct amount
of light; if foliage is deep green, gradually increase light; if definitely
yellowish, check that plants have been adequately fertilized, and
if so, decrease light.
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