Episode: #8 21/10/2006
Presenter: Judy Horton

Orchids, especially cymbidiums, look stunning when they are in full flower but they are often neglected after their flowering has finished. Just a small amount of TLC will go a long way towards keeping them happy.

Before you stick your orchid away in a forgotten corner, check to see if it needs re-potting. This won?t need to be done every year, just when the pot?s really crowded.

Splitting up the orchid takes a bit of muscle and a sharp knife. You might even have to cut the pot away.

Get rid of any pieces that look rotten and most of the old bulbs that don?t have leaves. You can break your orchid into lots of little sections but the smaller they are, the longer you will wait for more flowers.

Always choose a specific orchid potting mix. Cymbidium orchids (Cymbidium Hybrid cv.) need super good drainage and the chunky pieces in the mix will guarantee that.

When the orchid is in its new pot, water well and after it has drained, give the plant a dose of Seaweed Tonic, which will encourage the roots to grow.

Then feed the plant by sprinkling Dynamic Lifter organic pellets. These are really gentle on the plant and they are popular with lots of keen orchid growers.

Now you can put your orchid somewhere fairly shady until late summer which is the time the plant starts to think about its new flowers. Here is a tip, though: snails really love orchids so it is a good idea to use some snail pellets to protect the plant.

The only thing you need to do for the next few months is to feed every so often with Thrive Liquid Concentrate Orchid Food. Just mix 5 mils into 2 litres of water and then water over the leaves and pot.

In February or March move the orchid out into a spot where it gets more sun. That will get it into a flowering frame of mind.

Watch the leaves for any signs of scale insects and fluffy mealy bugs. If you see any of these problems use some systemic Confidor or PestOil. Make sure you spray the PestOil right onto the pests because it works by smothering them.

Featured Products

Dynamic Lifter Seaweed Tonic

• rich source of micro-nutrients, alginic acid, essential amino acids, minerals and other complex organic compounds.
• improves nutrient uptake, increases root development, encourages stronger stem growth, increases photosynthesis, increases yield and gives produce a longer shelf life and improved quality.
• Contains Molasses which provides a food source for beneficial soil microbes which make nutrients more available to the plant and improve soil structure.
• Wetting agent improves water penetration, reduces water usage and improves soil structure.
• improves retention and plant uptake of essential nutrients.

Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food:

• This is a versatile feed for all garden, potted and Australian native plants.
• Slow release nutrients improving structure and retention of the soil.
• It also encourages earthworms and is beneficial to soil micro-organisms

Blitzem Snail & Slug Pellets

• Kills and snails and slugs by dehydration.
• East to use.
• Contains a bittering agent to help prevent accidental consumption by children and pets.
• Pellets are mould resistant.
• Eventually biogrades into carbon dioxide and water.

Thrive Concentrate Orchid Food

• A fast acting, complete, liquid fertiliser ideal for feeding all types of orchids.
• Feeds through both the foliage and the roots.
• Specially formulated blend of nutrients, with nitrogen for healthy foliage growth and rich in phosphorus and potassium for beautiful long lasting flowers.
• Easy to measure and mix - no waiting for powders to dissolve.
• Promotes healthy plants and prolific flowering.
• Child resistant cap.
• Contains chelated trace elements that are easily available to orchids.

Bayer Confidor Insecticide

• Used to control aphids, azalea lace bugs, greenhouse thrips, mealybug, soft scale, hibiscus flower beetle, sap sucking bugs, psyllids.
• Systemic action - absorbed through the foliage and moves throughout the plant to control insect pests - works from the inside out.
• Good for spot treatment of pests.
• Low toxic, water based formulation.
• Soft on beneficial insects such as ladybirds

Yates Pest Oil

• For control of citrus leaf miner, scales, mites, mealy bug, aphids and white fly.
• Low toxic and highly effective.
• Includes UV inhibitors which reduce potential leaf burn during hot weather.
• Easy to use.