I’ve finished bidding on the cymbidium orchids on ebay.com.au. I won the 4 I had set my eyes on and now I’m very eager to get my hands on them.

They’re being sent bare rooted and so my research began on how to pot them up. I figured they’ll be a little dry when I receive them and if they’re anything like bare rooted roses, I’ll have to soak them overnight before I planted them.

Based on a good article on how to pot up bare rooted orchids from Vivi’s orchid corner, my plan of action will be:

1. Prepare some soaking solution by adding a few added drops of rooting hormone and dilute orchid fertiliser to water.
2. Soak the orchids roots in the soaking solution for a few minutes, then dunk the leaves in it too.
3. Wet some sphagnum moss with the wetting solution and place in a plastic zip lock bag and put one of the orchids in them. Repeat this step for each bare rooted orchid.
4. Sit the zip lock bag upright in a position with bright light with protection from wind (the greenhouse).
5. Once new growth appears, pot up in orchid potting mix (which I’ll have to buy).

I’ve read that one can soak in a soaking solution of sugar and fertiliser, but I’m not so convinced of this, I would think the incidence of fungus would be greatly increased.