ORCHID CULTURAL TIPS

- By Tessa Rakow

April and May (Autumn)
Cymbidiums :		Cym Duckitt Bicentennial cv Ox Blood Photographer: E. Scarr
–Look for emerging spikes and put a stake in next to them. –Continue to water thoroughly and fertilise once a week. –Remove dead leaves from the plant and the benches.
Cattleyas :		Cattleya aurantiaca Photo with permission from Lourens Grobler Afri–Orchids
–Watch out for scale and mealie bug on the underside of the leaves. –Wipe clean with a diluted solution of meths and water. –After flowering, divide and repot the plants that have outgrown their pots. –Divisions should be no smaller than three to four pseudobulbs. –Water weekly only on sunny days
Paphiopedilums :		Paphiopedilum Jade Dragon cv Joan Photographer: M. Rakow
–The plants should now be producing buds, ready for the winter flowering. –Continue to water and fertilise as before to prevent the plants from drying out.
Phalaenopsis :		Phal. sanderiana Photo with permission from Lourens Grobler Afri–Orchids
–As the weather becomes cooler, it is necessary to repot NOW and fertilise once a week with a weak fertiliser solution. –Ensure that the water doesn’t settle on the leaves or in the crown of the plant. –Remember that their requirements are warmth, humidity and lower light conditions.
JUNE AND JULY (Winter)
Cymbidiums :		Cym Dorothy Stockstill cv Red Wisteria Photographer: E. Scarr
–Start staking the spikes but do so only at midday when they are warm and pliable. –Continue to water once a week and fertilise once every second week. –Protect the emerging spikes from any freezing cold winds.
Cattleyas :		Cattleya labiata semi-alba CAL Photo with permission from Lourens Grobler Afri–Orchids
–Cattleyas need to be protected from cold temperatures. –If you are fortunate enough, however, to have a heated greenhouse, try to ensure that there is a temperature drop to about 10°C at night as this encourages growth and flowering in the summer months. Do not water late in the afternoon and you need only water once a week. –Fertilising can be reduced to twice a month.
Paphiopedilums :		Paphiopedilum delenatii cv Angelatoo Photographer: R. van Rooyen
–Stake the new inflorescences. –Continue to water to ensure that the mix does not dry out completely.
Phalaenopsis :		Phalaenopsis Black Butterfly cv Cherry Festival Photographer: G. Short
–These plants cannot cope with any cold. –They ideally don’t want to go below 16°C at night. –Reduce watering, but don’t allow them to dry out altogether.
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY (Summer)
Cymbidiums :		Cym Last Tango cv Geyserland Photographer: J. du Toit
–These have now finished flowering and may need to be repotted. –This must be done as soon as possible as they struggle a little if the weather is too hot. –Fertilise with a balanced fertiliser once a week throughout the summer. –Watch out carefully for insects and spray with a normal commercial spray whatever is necessary.
Cattleyas :		Cattleya trianiae delicata Photo with permission from Lourens Grobler Afri–Orchids
–The cattleyas should have started producing new growths and roots. –Once this is evident, you should repot if necessary. –With mature plants that don’t need repotting, wash out the medium thoroughly with clean water to leach out any salt accumulation. –Continue with a regular fertilising programme.
Paphiopedilums :		Paphiopedilum Norito Hasegawa cv Rage s Friend Photographer: Mrs. C. Coll
–Paphiopedilums should have been repotted in August or September. –These plants thrive on repotting and it should be done annually if possible. –Remember not to overpot. –The paphs really enjoy small compact pots. –You can comfortably repot your paphs up until December. –Water as required – in really hot weather two to three times a week is probably necessary. –Fertilise regularly as this is a growing period.
Phalaenopsis :		Phal. schilleriana 'Light Plum Jam' AM Photo with permission from Lourens Grobler Afri–Orchids
–These plants enjoy the summer weather. –Ensure that the humidity is maintained (especially in the winter rainfall areas). –Repot the plants early in the summer to allow for new growth in the new medium. –Continue to fertilise as before.