Cymbidium: Light and Temperature: 2,000-4,000 foot-candles. Cymbidium orchids may be grown outdoors in areas where heavy frost does not occur in a location with filtered sunlight, full sun for half a day and good air movement. Ample light is important for flowering. Foliage will be slightly yellow green, not dark green. Cymbidiums withstand a great deal of heat and cold, temp as low as 25° F for short periods. Some damage to leaves or flowers may occur. Bring plants indoors if a hard frost is expected. Night temperatures between 45°-50°F are necessary during Fall and early Winter with a 20°-30° day versus night temperature difference to initiate blooming. Watering and Fertilizing: Water when plants are almost dry. Do not let your Cymbidium dry out or stand in water, especially in Winter. Feed Dyna-Gro Hi-N-Pro, 10-5-5, or Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1 tsp./gal with each watering during the growing season (Feb.-Sept.). Flower spikes are initiated anywhere from Aug.-Nov. and flower four to five months later (Nov.-June), according to variety. For cut flowers, cut the spike when the last flower has opened. They will not continue to open once the spike is cut. During the winter months feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at 1 tsp./gal of water with each watering. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Do not use fertilizer containing urea on any orchid. Urea requires breakdown by soil microbes that are not in great supply in orchid media. A toxic salt build up can occur that can burn tender roots. Repotting: There are many mixes that are satisfactory for terrestrial orchids like cymbidiums, particularly with appropriate watering schedules. A good mix should hold moisture, but drain freely. Fine Dyna-Rok or a mixture of coarse and fine Dyna-Rok or a fine bark mix meets this requirement. Plants should be repotted every two to three years when in bark, if the mix is deteriorating or they seem to be in decline. Plants in Dyna-Rok will only need too be repotted when they become pot bound and must be divided. Repot after flowering and before July. Move plants into larger pots after removing the old dead roots and potting medium or divide them into clumps with three or more green bulbs. Remove dormant bulbs and set aside. Select a container that allows 2 years of growing room. Spread the white healthy roots into the container and fill with the orchid medium, tamping it down firmly enough to hold the plant erect. Sterilize tools between plants to reduce spread of virus diseases. The dormant bulbs or Back Bulbs may be potted and allowed to sprout, although it will be years before they flower. Water after repotting with 1 tbl. of K-L-N The Rooting Solution to a gallon of water. Repeat the application at two week intervals for up to 6 months. Cattleya: Light and Temperature: 1500-2000 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun. Leaves should be light green in color, stiff and leathery in texture. Cattleyas prefer a warm environment with day temperatures 85°-90°F and 55°-60°F at night. Watering and Fertilizing: allow plants to dry out between waterings then water thoroughly. Feed Dyna-GroÔ Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal with each water-ing. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-GroÔ Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-ProÔ 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower sheath initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Cattleyas should be repotted when the plant outgrows the pot, about 2-3 years. Coarse Dyna-Rok or medium grade fir bark should be used. Repotting is best done when new shoots or roots are begin-ning to grow in the Spring and Summer. Oncidium: Light and Temperature: 1500 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun. Leaves should be light green in color. Oncidiums will tolerate a wide range of temps. Maintain a daytime temperature of 75°-85°F and a night temperature not lower than 55°. Water and Fertilizing: Oncidiums should be allowed to almost dry out between waterings. When they are actively growing, or in bloom, give them more water. When there is no growth taking place, let them dry out between waterings. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal of water with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initia-tion. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Oncidiums in bark should be repotted every 2 years or when the bark has broken down. Mature plants like Coarse Dyna-Rok or medium grade fir bark, while small plants and seedlings need Fine Dyna-Rok or a fine grade of bark. Repot when the new growth is 2-3 inches tall. Vanda: Light and Temperature: 2,000-8,000 foot-candles-bright light with no direct sun. Leaves should be a light green color. Warm day temperatures between 75°-85°F and night temps not below 60°F. Watering and Fertilizing: Vandas like plenty of water and should not dry out between waterings. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 or Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 at the rate of 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal with each watering. To promote flower-ing, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Vandas enjoy regular misting with the same nutrient solution to help keep them moist and fed. Use Pro-TeKt Ò at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting should be done when the potting mix has broken down or about every 2-3 years in a bark mix. Use a well drained, coarse grade of fir bark or Coarse Dyna-Rok. Spring and Summer are the best times for repotting. Dendrobium: Light and Temperature: 1500-3000 foot-candles-bright light with no direct sun. They prefer warmer day temps between 75°-85°F and night temps around 60°F. Watering and Fertilizing: Dendrobiums should be allowed to almost dry out between waterings. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 or Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal of water with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Should be done every 2-3 years if in bark mix or when they outgrow the pot. Coarse Dyna-Rok or medium fir bark should be used for mature plants, while seedlings like Fine Dyna-Rok or fine fir bark. Dendrobiums like to be somewhat crowded in the pot. Australian and Nobile Dendrobiums: Dendrobium kingianum and many other Australian species will tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They like very bright light and will tolerate temperatures up to 90°F and as low as 32°F. Allow them to dry out some during late fall and early winter. A drop in night temperature to 50°F for at least a month in late winter will help promote bud set. Feed with every watering the same as other Dendrobiums. Odontoglossum: Light and Temperature: Bright filtered light with no direct sun. Leaves should be medium green in color with a slight pinkish tinge which indicates maximum light levels around 1,000 foot-candles. Maintain a cool environment with good air circulation, 70°-75° day temps and 50°-55° at night. Watering and Fertilizing: Plants should not be allowed to dry completely. Water when almost dry. The pseudobulbs will shrivel slightly if the plant is too dry. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 or Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Plants should be repotted at least every two years or when the potting mix has broken down. Odonts prefer Fine Dyna-Rok or a fine grade fir bark. After removing all the dead or rotted roots, choose a pot where the roots fit somewhat snugly. Do not over pot. The best time to repot is when a new growth is 1-3 inches long. Phalaenopsis: Light and Temperature: 1,000 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun. Leaves should be glossy medium green, and should increase in size with each new leaf. Maintain a warm environment with good air movement, temps between 75°-95° days and 60° nights. A 15°-20° day to night differential is required for flowering. Watering and Fertilizing: Plants should not be allowed to dry completely. Water when almost dry, usually once a week. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 or at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. /gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Plants should be repotted when the potting mix has broken down, if in bark. Coarse Dyna-Rok or medium bark should be used for mature plants, while Fine Dyna-Rok or bark is best for seedlings. The best time to repot is in the Spring and Summer. Masdevallia: Light and Temperature: 1500 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun. The leaves should be medium green in color. Maintain a cooler environment with good air circulation and day temps of 70°-75° and nights around 50°. Watering and Fertilizing: Masdevallias should be kept moist at all times. Feed Dyna-Gro, Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1/4 tsp./gal with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Masdevallias should be repotted when the medium has broken down. New Zealand sphagnum moss, fine fir bark or Fine Dyna-Rok should be used. Paphiopedilum: Light and Temperature: 600-2,000 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun. Mottled leaf or warm growing Paphs prefer a day temp with a maximum of 75°-80° and a night minimum of 50°-60°. Paphs vary widely by parentage so check with the grower for cultural requirements on specific varieties. Watering and fertilizing: Paphs should be kept moist and not allowed to dry completely. Feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1/4 tsp./gal with each watering. To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation. Use Pro-TeKt at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp./gal. of water year round to strengthen plants. Repotting: Paphs should be repotted at least every two years in a fine grade of fir bark or Fine Dyna-Rok. They prefer to be somewhat crowded in the pot, so do not over pot. Note: When repotting all orchids, Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom, K-L-N, The Rooting Solution and Pro-TeKt, The Silicon Solution, should be used to promote new root growth to quickly acclimate the plant to the new medium. Dyna-Rok used for repotting should be prepared in advance. Rinse the Dyna-Rok to remove excess dust and residue. Soak the Dyna-Rok in a bucket of water that has 1 tsp. of Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom and 1/2 tsp. of Pro-TeKt-The Silicon Solution added to each gallon of water. Add one Tbl. of K-L-N Rooting Solution to the soak water to promote rooting. Allow to soak for a few hours or overnight if possible. The addition of soluble silicon helps reduce stress to the plant during transplanting and reduce losses to fungus and dehydration, while the Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom helps to neutralize residual lime used in the manufacturing process of the Dyna-Rok.