by Michael Loos/Ohio State University Extension
Wednesday December 24, 2008, 8:00 AM
Q: Earlier this month, I was given a cymbidium orchid. How do I take care of it?
A: Many genera of orchids make great indoor houseplants. Cymbidium orchids are among the showiest. A well-grown plant can bloom for eight to 12 weeks indoors. I had one in my college dormitory room that lasted the entire winter quarter.
It is said that many orchids are unusually beautiful in bloom and unusually modest in leaf. Cymbidium are attractive all season. The leaves are long and strap-shaped. Texturally, they are a good foil to other houseplants. In bloom, cymbidium are spectacular. Up to 50 flowers per spike grace plants during their long blooming season.
If purchasing your own plant, look for miniature and ultraminiature, or teacup, cymbidium. These smaller selections are more easily grown in the house. They are more adaptable to the indoor household environment. While their larger cousins require cool temperatures, the smaller selections grow very well in the same conditions we like.
Bright light is imperative. Without it, cymbidium will languish. Keep plants moist, but not sodden. The growing medium should be very well drained. Fir bark, coir chips, and long-fibered sphagnum will allow the plant to be moist but well aerated. Place outside in late May, keep evenly moist and fertilize heavily in summer; reduce fertilization in August to help bud set and allow the plant to remain out of doors well into October. Cool night temperatures will initiate flower production. Bring the plant back indoors, keeping it at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and in full sun. Your cymbidium should bloom any time between November and April, depending upon its background.
Q: I always wanted to grow bonsai. Where do I start?
A: Start with a good book. There are numerous, excellent books on the subject. The Internet can be a great tool. One thing to remember. There are many rules about bonsai. Learn them well; then learn the most effective ways to break them. Use the rules as guides to the art. There are few specimen trees that precisely follow the rules. They just had good artists assist in the shaping process.
Keep in mind that there are many people who are successful in growing bonsai. They each have something unique to add. People can be great resources, but do what works for you. Don't be afraid of failure. If you meet a bonsai grower who tells you he has never killed a tree, he's not telling you the truth.
After you have done some research, start with a medium-size tree or nursery plant. Tiny trees are difficult to keep alive. Large trees can be cost prohibitive. Most importantly, like everything else, just do it. "Practice makes perfect."
Q: My cat keeps eating the tinsel in my house. Will this harm him?
A: Antique tinsel will kill a pet or human. It can be distinguished by its heavy weight. It is made from lead and will be poisonous if ingested. Modern tinsel is plastic. It will not be toxic but can lead to bowel distress if consumed in quantity.
I would recommend that you remove the tinsel from the portion of the tree the cat can reach. This may be the entire tree or just the lower portion.
Q: My Boston fern seems to have exploded. There are leaves everywhere. What can I do?
A: Quietly dispatch it to the compost pile. Boston ferns are not indoor friendly in most houses. They require a cool, bright, humid and evenly moist growing environment to succeed indoors in winter. I can't grow them indoors either.
Call a master gardener for advice from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Thursday at 216-429-8235 or e-mail your questions to mgdiagnostics_cuya@ag.osu.edu anytime. Gardening information is also available here and here. Loos is the horticulture educator of the Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County, 9127 Miles Ave., Cleveland OH 44105.
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