Garden Jobs

Things to do this week:

* Repot cymbidiums. An old gardener’s tale has it that cymbidium orchid plants bloom best when a little crowded, but they actually do better with a little room. When clumps get to within about an inch of the side of the pot, it’s time to move them into larger quarters or to divide the plants. The time to do this is right after they flower, so they have plenty of time to prepare for next year’s blooms.

* Plant cineraria. Inland, where frosts are likely earlier in winter, you can now plant cineraria, which have some of the bluest of flowers. There are also whites and purple shades, but the blues are unbelievable. Some gardeners like the short new kinds, but the older tall kinds are much more graceful, though hard to find at nurseries.