Okay, here is a blog post about my experience with cymbidium potting soil:
So, I’ve been growing these cymbidium orchids for a while now, and let me tell you, they’re not your average houseplant. You can’t just stick them in any old dirt and call it a day. Nope, these guys need a special kind of soil if you want them to actually, you know, live and maybe even flower.
At first, I tried using regular potting mix. What a joke! My poor orchids just sat there, looking sad and refusing to grow. I knew I had to do something, so I started digging around for info. Turns out, cymbidiums are picky little things. They need a potting mix that drains really well, because their roots hate being soggy. They also like a mix that’s got some air pockets in it, so their roots can breathe.
My Mix Experiment
After a lot of reading and mixing and matching, I came up with my own little concoction. Here is what I did:
- Get the pots ready: Make sure the pots are clean. You know, I even wash them up nicely, making sure they are neat and tidy before starting anything.
- Mix stuff: I started with a base of fir bark. The medium-grade stuff, not the fine, dusty kind. That’s important because you want those air pockets. Then, I tossed in some peat moss to help hold onto a little bit of water, but not too much. And finally, I added a good amount of perlite. That white, styrofoam-looking stuff is great for drainage and aeration.
I grabbed some large size bark, some charcoal, and also some perlite and foam as well. Then I mixed them up, no rocket science here, just making sure each of them is in the mix.
I repotted my cymbidiums in this new mix, and the difference was amazing! They perked up almost immediately. It was like they were saying, “Finally, someone who gets us!”
Now, my cymbidiums are thriving. They’re putting out new growth, and I even got a few blooms last year. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty darn proud of myself. I messed up a bit, I experimented, but I figured it out. I guess you could say I’ve got a green thumb now, at least when it comes to these orchids.
So, if you’re thinking about growing cymbidiums, don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Just remember, drainage and aeration are key. And don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! That’s half the fun, right?
