Question
QUESTION: I have been given a king of orchids plant which has about 8 bulbs in the pot, it has flowered and now the flowers have died. do i need to cut the stems down or do i just leave it alone. i have the plant at work away from direct sunlight but it's still getting natural light  i'm also keeping the soil damp.

ANSWER: Hello Sharon,

Although I'm not quite sure what kind of orchid you have, I believe it may be a cymbidium as it is some times referred to as the King of Orchids.  With that assumption, I'll try answering your questions.  

Cymbidiums only produce flowers once on a stem, so by all means cut it off.  With 8 bulbs, it is fairly good sized and should grow new stems and flowers next year, hopefully more than one.  

If it is a cymbidium, I would suggest not growing it indoors as much as possible as most of them grow and bloom best outdoors.  Speaking of which, you didn't mention where you live.  If it does not go much below 45F where you live, you probably can grow it outside all year round.  Also, depending upon where you live, give it as much sunlight as you can.  When getting good light exposure, cym leaves will be a light to medium green color, dark green means not enough light.  

In winter, it is best to keep cyms slightly on the dry side and increase watering from spring to mid fall.  It helps to feed it a balance type orchid fertilizer also but use about 1/2 the amount suggested on the container.  

If there there is a name tag with it and it is not a cymbidium, write back with the name and I'll try helping with it.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.  



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim
i live in surrey, United Kingdom, the Orchid is a cymbidium
if i plant it outside do i take it out of the plant pot.

thank you
sharon

Answer
Hi Sharon,

While it is possible to plant a cymbidium in the ground, it may be better to keep it in the pot.  Also, living in Surrey, U.K., place it where it will receive as much sun as possible with maybe a little shade during mid day.  If you decide to try planting it in the ground, place it in a raised mound or raised planter bed as this will help with drainage and prevent the soil remaining wet too long.  

Good luck.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.