Cymbidium orchids put on a winter show

Cymbidiums are popular and showy orchids with long, strappy leaves.

Cymbidium orchids on show.

Geoff Le Marne, president of the Cymbidium Club of Australia (NSW), on cymbidium orchids

Describe cymbidium orchids: They’re popular and showy orchids with long, strappy leaves that are fairly easy to grow in the southern half of Australia. Cymbidiums begin flowering in May, so you’ll see them for sale now, and some varieties bloom through until October. The long flower spikes can have from eight to 35 blooms each, and a potted plant may have anything from one to 15 flower spikes. They come in all colours except blue and purple, and there are large, medium and small sizes.

Tips for choosing one: Buy plants with healthy, clean green foliage. Pick a colour you like and just enjoy it. If you choose one with lots of closed buds it will provide you with months of colour, making them good value compared with cut flowers.

Can I keep them indoors?Cymbidiums can survive in well-lit rooms for a few months while they flower. Water only when the soil dries out and never leave water sitting in the saucer. After flowering, put the plants outside. They need plenty of light to flower again next year, but with protection from hot sun. They won’t flower in heavy shade. Apply weak liquid fertiliser every few weeks to keep them growing. If you’re keen, switch to flower-boosting liquid fertiliser from February until they flower.

What’s the appeal for enthusiasts?Some of us like competing and showing; others enjoy orchids’ exotic appeal and colours; some people just like collecting. If you’re interested, the best way to learn is to join your local orchid society. Most have free classes for members and you can share knowledge and plants with other members. Australia has some of the world’s leading hybridisers, but I’m just a hobbyist having fun.

What’s in your collection?Mainly the larger, more spectacular types. Show bench flowers tend to have a rounder shape and the colour is very important. They need to be without any blemishes, well flowered and well presented. I probably have about 200 orchids of flowering size and perhaps 500 little ones growing.

What’s the value of shows? They’re great to look at and usually there are lots of vendors selling different varieties, with experts on hand to answer your questions. You also have the opportunity to see the latest varieties. The trend is for brighter, clearer colours and different colour combinations, as well as smaller foliage.