Now is a good time to divide or repot cymbidium orchids. To many gardeners the very thought of dividing and repotting orchids can be quite overwhelming. But thanks to a tip given to me a few years ago by Peter Mies, a master on the art of growing cymbidiums, it’s just so easy.
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Peter introduced me to the use of fresh horse manure as a potting medium.
The horse manure must be as fresh as possible and not mixed with anything else. If you take a drive in the country you’re bound to find bagged horse manure for sale by the roadside.
To repot, just knock the orchid out of its pot and decide whether to place it back into its old container with fresh manure, or move it up by a couple of pot sizes.
To divide an orchid when it’s size makes it unreasonable to handle, break it up into smaller divisions and pot into separate suitable pots. About 3-5cms space between the bulb and the sides of the pot appears to be the rule of thumb.
Label, water and keep moist and the divisions should flower next year or the season after.
In mid-December, a teaspoon of a water soluble fertilise, per 20cm pot is all the orchid requires as it will be fed in a natural form from the moist horse manure.
Horse manure has an air-filled porosity reading of 14 percent which signifies that it has just the perfect choice for cymbidiums.
Plenty of light during summer to encourage flowering, a spray of water over the leaves around midday in summer just to refresh them and placing the orchids under a clear protective covering in winter to shield against frosts is about all the fussing these beautiful plants require.
Echeveria cactus
Echeveria cactus are popular ornamental garden plants with perfect rosettes of succulent leaves in many colourful shades and combinations, and look very trendy in decorative pots, among rocks or in mixed beds.
There are about 150 species of Echeverias mostly from Mexico.
Echeveria secunda var. glauca is often grown as carpet bedding because of its silvery, almost powdery leaves, packed into low, ground-hugging rosettes.
Echeveria harmsii is a much taller, dramatic cactus reaching 30cm in height and holds its red lipped leaves on the tips of branching stems. During the summer the flower spikes are produced to display large orange-red urn shaped flowers.
Echeverias require full sun to thrive and enable the colours of the leaves to be at their best shades. Well-drained soil is a must. Allow the top half of the mix to dry out before watering and add a soluble fertiliser every three weeks or so.
To propagate, place a leaf on the surface of the ground and it should take root in a short time.
Any mealy bugs found on leaves can be wiped off with a damp cloth.
Diary
December 11: A free Lilium display is offered by The Northern Tasmanian Lilium Society at the Windmill Hill Hall, High Street, Launceston from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
January 7 and 8: The Northern Tasmanian Lilium Society will hold it’s annual Lilium Show at St Ailbe’s Hall, Margaret Street, Launceston from 1pm to 5pm Saturday and 9.30am to 4pm Sunday. On display will be Asiatics, LA’s, Orientals, Trumpets, Orienpets, Species and Longiflorum hybrids. Floral Art, plant stalls, morning and afternoon teas as well as potted liliums for sale. Entry $3.
Daily: The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden at 55 Breffay Road, Romaine, Burnie is open from 9am to 5pm.