Cymbidiums have been making a much-deserved comeback in recent
years as more people discover these wonderful orchids. They are much
more cold-tolerant than many common species of orchids and feature
sprays of large blooms in the dead of winter. Much of the new interest
in cymbidiums is driven by the appearance of the miniature cymbidiums.
These plants are smaller and more manageable than the earlier varieties.
Light:
During the growing season,
cymbidiums appreciate dappled sunlight, or about 50 percent shade. They
can be moved outdoors in the summer, providing they are not put into
direct sunlight. A few hours of weak morning sunlight and shady
afternoons is perfect. Move the cymbidiums outside after the threat of
frost has passed. If you're growing them indoors, a southeast or east
window is perfect. Your leaves should be apple green, as opposed to dark
green. A dark green plant is likely not receiving enough sunlight to
provoke a good bloom.
Water:
Copious water
during the growing season (spring, summer and fall). The purer the
water, the better the plants. Accumulated salts in tap water can damage
the plants, so make sure they are well flushed every time you water the
plant. During the winter bloom, reduce watering dramatically, but don't
let the plant dry out. Keep the potting media slightly damp to the
finger. Plants that are affected by the salt build-up in tap water will
exhibit leaf-tip dieback, a condition in which the leaf tips turn black
and die.
Fertilizer:
During the growing
season, feed with a weak orchid fertilizer bimonthly or scatter
slow-release pellets in the growing media at the beginning of the
season. Be careful to avoid a high nitrogen fertilizer as this will
cause rapid foliage growth at the expense of the bloom.
Temperature:
Cymbidiums
are considerably more cold tolerant than some other popular orchids.
The large, older cymbidiums need an extended period of cold to provoke a
bloom, while the miniatures aren't quite as dependent on cold weather
to bloom. Cymbidiums have been known to briefly withstand freezing
temperatures, although frost will kill them. Nights down to 40ºF are
fine. On the other side, cymbidiums can also withstand considerably
summer heat without wilting, as they are suited to the temperate regions
of Asia where there is considerable variation in seasonal and day/night
temperatures.
Blooming:
The cymbidium bloom
is triggered by a combination of falling temperatures and reduced
water. The miniatures have generally been crossed with warm-house
orchids, so they aren't quite as dependent on cold weather to bloom, but
it's still an important part of cymbidium culture. The natural bloom
season is during the winter, when your plants should be indoors and
available for display. Cymbidium flowers grow in sprays, with spikes
arising from new pseudobulbs every season.
Potting and repotting:
Cymbidiums
are semi-terrestrial orchids. They naturally grown in loamy humus,
sending thin roots into the mixture. Thus, they are perfectly suited to
the conditions most easily provided at home: a rich, loose, organic
potting mixture. Most growers recommend using fir bark, perlite, peat
moss, and other loose organic material in some combination. A commercial
paphiopedilum mix will usually serve these plants well. Cymbidiums can
be easily divided during repotting in the spring.
Grower's Tips:
Cymbidiums
are wonderful orchids to grow in the middle and coastal regions of the
United States and other temperate countries. They can be grown outside
during the spring, summer and fall, and moved back inside at the first
threat of frost. During the summer, they will grow quickly, sending up
new pseudobulbs topped with long, strappy leaves. The flowers are on
display during the winter months. A well-grown cymbidium is resistant to
most insects, but as with all orchids, there is some risk of aphids,
scale and other insects. Treat with standard products, always following
label directions.
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