These spikes will appear near the base of the plant and are usually thick and shiny in appearance.

The most commonly grown cymbidium orchids flower through August and September.

As the flower spikes develop they become quite heavy, so some support will be required.

These can be thin stakes, sometimes with a loop at the end.

Snails enjoy the new spikes, so some form of protection will be required.

As the weather cools, the orchid plants can be moved out of their semi-shade/shade area.

Place them in a position of full sun until spring.

As the flower spikes develop, they will begin to show some colour, until the individual blooms open out.

At this stage plants can be brought inside for a week or two so that their blooms can be enjoyed.

Alternatively, once a couple of the blooms have opened, the spikes can be cut from the plant.

Place them into a tall vase of water, where they will continue to open.

Black or brown spots on the leaves of cymbidium orchids are often indicative of disease.

These plants should be isolated from other plants in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease.

Camellia sasanquas are an attractive feature in many autumn gardens.

They are very versatile plants as they are tolerant of drier positions, requiring a minimum of water.

Sasanqua camellias can be grown in positions that are more exposed to sun and wind.

In spite of this tolerance for garden positions that may be more extreme, sasanqua camellias produce flowers that appear to be delightfully fragile in structure.

They produce an abundance of flowers in a range of colours from white through pale and darker pinks to reds, with some varieties having multi-coloured flowers.

As the flowers fall, they create a most attractive carpet of colour on the ground underneath the bush.

The flowers assist in encouraging native birds, especially honey eaters, into the home garden as they enjoy the nectar produced in the blossoms.

As sasanqua camellias commence their flowering season, this is a good time to choose varieties that you might wish to include in your garden plantings.

Flower colour, structure, growth habit and size are all factors to be considered when choosing plant varieties.

Sasanqua camellias are most adaptable and make ideal specimens for topiary.