As published in the News-Review on February 14, 2025

By: Janet Bitter

Question: How is it possible that you have an orchid blooming like that, outside, in Roseburg, Oregon?

Answer: Even though you may think that someone who is a Master Gardener must have nothing but success with everything horticultural, I’m here to tell you otherwise!  However, I will admit to having a plant that when someone sees it in bloom, they are incredulous. I have a standard Cymbidium orchid in a large pot and it resides on my porch from about April through early November. It is usually covered in blooms in April and May. You, too, can have similar success and impress your friends who think that all orchids are for experts only! 

Cymbidium orchids are also called “boat orchids” as the word “cymba” is Latin for boat and that refers to the boat-shape lip of the flowers. There are over 100 species of this genus of orchid, which are native to Southeast Asia. Most are epiphytic or lithophytic, meaning they grow on trees or rocks in the wild, with very few growing on the floor of the jungle. They are among the most reliable bloomers in the orchid family, and their flowers can be pink, green, yellow, or white. They come in two sizes, miniature and standard, with the standard having flowers up to 5” wide. They range from 12”-30” tall and wide. Their flower spikes can last 8 weeks under the right conditions.

They are certainly more forgiving than some orchids, but you do need to pay attention to the conditions they prefer:

• Light – these are light-loving orchids.  They do not like direct sun but need very bright indirect light such as near an east window or slightly shaded southern window when they are indoors.  Mine is happy all spring, summer and fall on my covered southern-facing front porch. In the winter I have it in an unheated greenhouse. If yours has light golden-green leaves, you are providing the correct amount of light. If dark green leaves, the plant is not getting enough light.  If the leaves are slightly red, it is getting too much direct sun.
• Temperature – Cymbidiums need a temperature difference between night (50 degrees) and day (ideal is 75 degrees but mine is fine all summer at Roseburg temperatures) to bloom consistently.  Mine survives all winter in an unheated greenhouse—it is in such a large pot that bringing it inside the house is not practical. 
• Humidity- they like moderate (50%) humidity.  
• Water – they like to be moist, but not wet. Consistent watering from spring through late summer is good, then cut back until spring returns.
• Potting soil/dividing/propagation – you should use orchid bark, not potting soil, to help prevent root rot. (Remember, in the wild these orchids live on rocks or trees.) Your orchid will bloom more consistently when it is slightly pot-bound, but when it is time to re-pot your plant (every 3 or so years) then you should remove it from the pot, gently separating the larger mother plant pseudobulbs from the pups (smaller plantlets). Keep the pups’ roots intact as much as possible and repot into fresh orchid mix.  Do not use too large of a pot, as that may encourage root rot. Your newly-planted orchid may not bloom for a year or two as it gets established.  I tend to let mine get really pot-bound before I divide it.
• Pests/diseases – mine has been relatively pest-free, but you might see aphids, spider mites, or scale insects like other houseplants get.  If your orchid is not getting proper air circulation, it may suffer from powdery mildew or botrytis.  Cut off affected parts and change your conditions to provide good circulation.  Do not overwater.

Sometimes it is fun to grow a plant that is a little different. I am certainly not an orchid expert, but my cymbidium is beautiful each spring and rewards me with spikes of flowers that last weeks on my front porch.  With a little attention, you may be able to grow this species of orchid in your home, enjoying the exotic blooms and amazing your non-gardener friends!

Do you have a gardening or insect question? Contact the Douglas County Master Gardeners at douglasmg@oregonstate.edu or 541-672-4461 or visit 1134 SE Douglas Ave., Roseburg. Douglas County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who help the OSU Extension Service serve the people of Douglas County.