Question
Hi Jim,

Me again!  I live in Southern California.  Right now I have my cym inside to enjoy the blooms. Once all of the blooms have fallen off of my cym, what do I do next?  Do I cut back the stem? How far?  One is still blooming really well. The other, the top of the stem looks like it has turned from its green color to more of a yellow (probably about the top two inches of the stem - one bloom remains just under that).  Also, I've read about other orchids where you're supposed to cut above the node...I can't locate a node on either stem of my cym. Now what?) Thanks for the help!

Answer
Hi again back to you Shantel,

Glad to hear the cyms are doing good, you really do live in one of the best cymbidium growing areas of the world.  

Unfortunately, cymbidium flower stems do not produce blooms in following years so once the flowers are gone, go ahead and cut them off as low as you safely can.  

By the way, if you have the time over the March 24 to 26 weekend you might consider a drive to Santa Barbara.  There is a orchid show at the Earl Warren Showgrounds just off U.S. 101 and Las Positas Rd.  Lots of cymbidiums along with other orchids to see on display.  There also is a sales area next to the showroom where you can purchase orchids. (grin)  In addition to the show and sales, all of the orchid nurseries in the S.B. area are open for the weekend.  If you want more cymbidiums (grin), you can try Gallup & Stribling located just south of S.B. in Carpenteria.  For a wide selection of other orchids, try either Santa Barbara Orchid Estate or Cal-Orchids, both are on Patterson Rd. in Goleta, take the exit off 101 and head towards the ocean about 2 miles.  

What to do after the flowers are gone?  Leave them outdoors in partial shade (30 to 50% shade), water and feed it when the potting media becomes barely moist.  Water and feed with a balance type orchid fertilizer mixed at 1/4 the amount given on the package every time you water.  With fertilizers, more is not better.  

One thing you might check after the flowers are gone is the condition of the potting mix.  If the mix tends to take a long time to dry out or if there is a sour odor present, it is time to repot and renew the mix.  Before repotting, have several pots and new mix ready (it is a good idea to pre-moisten the mix ahead of time).  Remove the cym from the pot, remove the old mix, clean off any soft mushy roots, put the cym in the pot and add new mix while shaking the pot to get it to settle in and around the roots.  Once the pot is full, gently press down on the mix to slightly compress it then add more mix as needed.  Water thoroughly and place in a warm shady place for 2-3 weeks, then move it to your normal growing area.  

While repotting may seem daunting, after you've done it a few times it really isn't that hard.  

Hope this helps.  If you have any more questions, let me know.  Maybe I'll bump into you in S.B., I'll be there the 24th after 10 AM and 25th until early afternoon before heading back to San Jose.  If you'll be there and would like to meet, send me an e-mail at [email protected] but be sure to put cymbidiums as the subject or I may accidentally delete it.  

Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.