HARDY, ELEGANT AND LONG-FLOWERING, CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS ARE GOOD FOR A RIOT OF COLOUR FOR MANY WEEKS
Cymbidiums are among the most popular orchids, ideal for the beginner orchids and usually grown in large pots positioned outdoors. They have light green strappy leaves but come into their own in winter and early spring when they produce robust stems of flowers.
These large flowers come in light-green, pink, magenta, yellow, cream, white and brown. The blooms may have distinctively marked patterns on the labellum (lip) with many flowers on a single stem.
Flowers last for many weeks and can be used for indoor potted decoration for up to six weeks while the plants are in bloom. However, cymbidium orchids are not indoor plants and must be returned to the garden once flowering is over.
Cymbidiums come from the tropics, subtropics and some warm temperate zones, with some native to Australia; many also thrive at high altitudes. These climatic aptitudes mean they do well in conditions from warm temperate to tropical but, if grown in cold zones, they need protection from cold and frost.
CARE AND REPOTTING
The trick with managing orchids is to give them enough light through summer and autumn to induce flowering.
Orchids grow best in dappled light such as in a fernery, on a balcony or under a tree so they are sheltered from being scalded by the hot sun. However, there needs to be a balance as plants grown in heavy shade may fail to flower.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Glamour girls
EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS
FRIED VEG
IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS
BEYOND BIG RED
TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY
EVEN MORE TROPPO
ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT
FOOD OF THE GODS
THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE
MAKING GOOD BETTER
THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN
True lily
MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL
SALTY BUDS
THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES
Ducks on duty
BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!