Propagation
Divide established clumps after flowering.


Botanic information
Leaf: The long linear leaves are up to 20mm (ľin) wide and slightly concave. The surface is glossy and the texture is leathery.

Flower: The spreading petals and sepals are up to 12mm (˝in) long and may have reddish blotches. The labellum is reddish at the base and the numerous flowers are arranged in an arching raceme that appears during late spring.

Fruit: The small capsule contains numerous seeds. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.

Culture
Cymbidiumsare the most widely grown orchids, which prefers ahumid temperate climate as in the east coast of Australia sitting in a mottled shaded position.
In these areas the plants areonlymoved under glass to protect blooms from water damage or protected from frosts otherwise they are normally an outdoor plant living happily at the base of trees or in log hollows. They require some direct light in the early morning or late afternoon.
If grown in a climate ofdry atmospherethey should be placed in an enclosed bush-house, about 20sq metres, which maintains a moist floor for humidity.
In cooler areas they require heating and are placed inside a glasshouse to maintain a temperature range of 10ş to 24ş C.

Cymbidiums flower poorlyin the tropics and under heavy shade but prefer 25 to 55 per cent shade, which can be achieved by using a coarsely woven shadecloth. Plants with yellow to green coloured buds require more shade than the pinks to red blooms.

Soil
Naturally Cymbidiums grow in the hollow of trees in leaf-mould and rotted wood so mixes made up for potted plants must be well composted organic matter that allowsfree movement of air and waterto pass through. It should also be firm and not decomposed too quickly otherwise the plant looses its anchorage.

Suggested potting mix
One quarter tan bark, one quarter coursed washedriver sand, one-quarter charcoal(pea-size) and one quarter rotted leaf mould or composted cow manure. Small stones or washed gum nuts may also be included. There are many variations of potting mixes but they must be aerie and well drained.

Watering and Fertilising
During summer water regularly and keep the compost moistbut not wet then reduce watering during the cooler months to once a week. When fertilising first water thoroughly to remove residues of previous fertilising and feed with a liquid orchid mix fortnightly from early spring to early autumn.
If the plants are feed during winter this will result in the loss of buds or flower spikes.