One trick to help Cymbidiums bloom is to give them nightly temperature drops of 15-20°F (8-11°C,) especially in autumn. Without this day/night temperature difference, they won’t form flower spikes. Here on the coast, they can grow in full sun. However, growers in warmer areas should provide morning sun and afternoon shade. Plants need enough light so that leaves are light green, not dark green. Cymbidiums enjoy regular fertilizer, and they love compost. They can survive a light frost, although temps below freezing usually damage flowers.

For orchid growers in warmer climates, miniature Cymbidiums like warmer temps. These small varieties are best for growers where summertime temps stay above 70°F (21°C) at night.

To grow this variety, place in bright light with some direct sun. Water every other day (more if it’s warm,) and keep in cool, breezy conditions. They enjoy regular fertilizer or a good dose of compost. Keep them drier during winter dormancy.

This species is native to the Andes of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, where it grows at elevations up to 10,500 ft. (3200  m.) At those dizzying heights, it’s no surprise that it prefers temps below 80°F (27°C.) It can survive freezes down to 25°F (-4°C,) but it’s best to avoid such cold temps for plants in cultivation.

Don’t let Cyrtochilum’s name scare you; pronouncation is easier than you might think. Say “sear tow KYE lum” to rhyme with “dear go by him.” Botanists have been debating this beauty’s place in the orchid family tree for years, so it’s sometimes labeled as an Oncidium.

Epipactis helleborine has a home range across a broad swath of Europe and Asia, stretching from Ireland all the way to China. Early colonists brought it to North America to use the roots as a gout treatment. With nicknames like “weed orchid” and “poor man’s lady slipper,” it’s considered an invasive plant in parts of the USA and Canada, but it’s not a significant problem here in the SF Bay Area. This terrestrial can spread by seeds or by root runners, and can pop up in surprising places, like roadside ditches or patches of poison oak. That’s a wildly successful orchid weed!

This species is native to elevations of 8000 – 9000 ft. (2438 – 2743 m.) from only a single valley near Cochabamba, Bolivia. That’s the largest city in Chapare Province, which provides the species name Masdevallia chaparensis. Its cloud forest home in that narrow band of the Andes is similar to this mild climate about 5 miles from the Golden Gate. Since there’s no rain here during summer, I water daily until winter rains resume. It loves a good shot of compost, but growers who use artificial fertilizers should only use weak doses.

To pronounce it, say “see-LODGE-in-ee.” This species originates in the mountains of Vietnam, where it grows in cloud forests up to 6500 ft. (2000 m) high. It can handle a wide range of temperatures. Mine lives outside all year in the San Francisco fog, and receives some direct sun.

Coelogynes like frequent waterings during spring and summer, and less during winter dormancy. They enjoy regular fertilizer, high humidity, and good air movement. Almost 200 different Coelogyne species include varieties to suit warm, intermediate, or cool climates. They’re great for beginners who are ready to try a challenge beyond hybrids.

I’ve had this plant for 6 years, and it’s been a reliable annual bloomer. A nasty hailstorm damaged it last winter, but it flowered on schedule anyway. The arching sprays of sparkling white blooms can last 2 or 3 months. They may show wear-and-tear from rain, wind, heat waves, or pests, but the flowers persist. This one grows outdoors on my back deck all year, where it receives bright light with some direct sun.

Even though they’re lithophytes, they grow well potted in bark. Sarcochilus like regular water and fertilizer. Their leaves and roots are susceptible to damage from the slug and snail killer metaldehyde. However, snail baits with iron phosphate are safe for them.

Enjoy wild orchids if you find them, but take away only memories and photos. Never remove orchid species from the wild, or damage them in any way. It’s illegal, and it endangers the plants.