Blooming Cymbidiums in My Home
Even in winter one can enjoy beautiful fresh flowers - some of my orchids are blooming so wonderfully right now.
On many mornings after checking the greenhouses, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, brings cut flowers or blooming potted plants up to my Winter House for display - whatever looks best at the time. Yesterday, he brought me some gorgeous cut Cymbidium orchids. Cymbidium, or "boat orchid," is a genus of evergreen flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. They are prized for their long-lasting sprays of blooms. In another few weeks, the greenhouses will also be filled with flowering Dendrobiums, another type of orchid, with abundant pastel-colored flowers.
Enjoy these photos.
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- These are some of the white Dendrobium orchids in my greenhouse. These are just beginning to bloom.
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- I have them in pink and white. Native to Southeast Asia, the genus Dendrobium is among the largest of all orchid groups. Blooming times vary depending on species, light, temperature, humidity and watering practices. All my orchids are so well maintained.
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- And soon these Dendrobiums will all be flowering.
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- But right now, Ryan is cutting lots of other gorgeous orchids – my Cymbidiums.
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- Cymbidium orchids are prized for their sprays of long-lasting flowers.
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- My orchids live in the temperature and humidity-controlled greenhouses where they can be monitored closely every day.
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- Here’s Ryan with some cut Cymbidiums ready to bring up to my Winter House.
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- Ryan places the sprays of blooms in a large box tray with a wire bottom. They only go a short distance to my home, but if going a longer distance, be sure they are well-protected and secured during transit.
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- The colors can vary from shades of pink, white, yellow, red, green, and brown.
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- The flowers typically have three sepals and two petals each with a prominent three-lobed labellum making them appear “boat like.”
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- These Cymbidiums are creamy white with dark pink markings.
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- As soon as they came up to my Winter House, I brought them into my servery to arrange them.
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- I use my favorite finger vase, also known as quintal flower horn because of its typical five spouts.
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- I often display flowers and other potted specimens around my home. I put these in my sitting room, which is one of the first rooms I walk through in the morning.
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- Depending on the variety, Cymbidium orchids can bloom from four to 12 weeks.
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- Some of them are also very fragrant. Their scents can range from subtle to strong and often with hints of jasmine, vanilla or even citrus.
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- When displaying cut Cymbidiums, be sure to change the water frequently – every couple of days – and avoid placing them in direct light.
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- On the other side of my sitting room are these cut Cymbidiums in shades of pink. Always space Cymbidiums appropriately as overcrowding could damage them.
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- These Cymbidiums are in my servery just off my kitchen. Be careful when handling the stems and flowers to avoid bruising which can also shorten the flower’s vase life.
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- Cymbidium orchids have exceptional beauty and longevity. I hope you can enjoy some of these impressive flowers this season.
Martha Pins
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