In the dead of winter, what could be more inspiring than to have your own well placed Cymbidium orchid opening up before your eyes.  My Cymbidium is about 8 years old, and this year’s blooms have been the most spectacular since the time of purchase.  

First, a little background on this amazing orchid.  My 2012 Sunset Garden Book tells me that Cymbidiums are among the cool-growing orchids, and that instead of clinging to trees in the tropics, they are terrestrial, and grow in moist humus-rich soil.  And unlike their tropical cousins, they do best with temperatures of 50-55 degrees F at night, and 60-75 degrees F during the day.  In fact, they need cool night-time temperatures in order to bloom.  My experience shows that they do just fine with temperatures from mid 30’s to 40’s, so long as they have some frost protection.

I first noticed 3 bloom stalks appear in early November.  The pot was under an Avocado tree in the back yard, where it got filtered afternoon sun.  I used periodic, usually weekly waterings with diluted compost tea from my worm bed as the sole fertilizing agent.  When the buds became more mature in early December, I moved the pot to a sunny corner inside the front porch, where we could watch the buds open gradually.  The showy opening of the buds started about two weeks ago, in early January, and they should remain stunningly beautiful for at least another two months.  And despite recent temperatures hovering around 32 degrees F at night, they have proven to be remarkably hardy, however  their location on the porch provides good frost protection.  Last year we were not so lucky.  We lived in Sonoma County, where the winter temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20’s F at night, which resulted in bud die-off on this same plant.

Three weeks ago, I successfully averted an infestation of aphids on the (still unopened) buds.  I carefully wiped them off with a wet paper towel that had a diluted solution of dish soap.  You can also use Safer insecticidal soap, which will not damage the buds.  This seemed to do the trick, and they have not reappeared.

So, my salute to this hardy winter blooming gem!