Southern California Cymbidium Post-Bloom Care and Santa Barbara Show

Shantel (SoCal) has blooming Cymbidiums indoors. Asks post-bloom care: cut stems? How far? One stem yellowing at top. No visible nodes.

Cut Spikes at Base

Cymbidium spikes never rebloom. Cut as low as safely possible after flowers fall.

Move outdoors: 30-50% shade
Water/feed when mix barely moist
Balanced fertilizer at 1/4 strength every watering
Check mix: repot if slow-drying or sour smell (every 2-3 years)
Repotting steps: pre-moisten mix, clean roots, remove mushy ones, settle mix by shaking pot

March 24-26 at Earl Warren Showgrounds. Nurseries open: Gallup & Stribling (Carpenteria), Santa Barbara Orchid Estate & Cal-Orchid (Goleta).

Orchids: Repotting a Phalaenopsis from Clear Plastic Pot to Orchid Planter; Eliminating Ants in Orchid Pots: Repotting and Sanitation; Step-by-Step Phalaenopsis Repotting Guide for Beginners; Overwatered Phalaenopsis: Emergency Repotting in Fir Bark; Ice-Cube Watering Myth: Use Room-Temperature Water Instead; Wilsonara with Withered Pseudobulbs: Pot Mix Particle Size Issue; Phalaenopsis Won't Rebloom? Light, Feeding & Repotting Fixes; "Cymbidium" with Long Skinny Appendages: It's a Phalaenopsis!; Choosing the Right Potting Mix for Phalaenopsis; Cymbidium Expert Q&A: Fertilizer, Pot Sanitizing, Mix, Epsom Salt, New Plants

Garden Articles

Plants