Cymbidium orchid - home care. How to properly care for a cymbidium orchid Why does cymbidium not bloom at home
Cymbidium orchid belongs to tropical species. Orchid lovers consider it unpretentious plant, not too demanding on living conditions. If you follow simple care rules, cymbidium will definitely delight you with flowering on your home windowsill.
The flower was discovered in 1800 by a Swedish botanist. Its natural habitat is Asian countries, Australia. There, the cymbidium orchid grows, clinging to rocks, tree bark, or simply in the sand. In total, there are more than 60 species of these plants, adapted to different climatic zones.
Description of the plant
The cymbidium orchid looks characteristic: having seen the flower once, you can hardly confuse it with another. The bush consists of long, belt-shaped green leaves. Each leaf lives on the plant for up to 5 years, and then turns yellow and dies. Young leaves appear to replace the old ones. At the base of the bush you can see pseudobulbs - solid green formations located close to each other. Long flower stalks originate from them.
The color of the petals of Cymbidium is very diverse. It can be pink, red, greenish-yellow, white, pale lilac. The so-called “lip” can be crimson or speckled. Depending on the variety, each peduncle can have from one to ten or more flowers, the diameter of which is 6-12 cm. Cymbidium flowers have a bright, pleasant aroma and stay on the peduncle for more than two months, after which they dry out and fall off. Commercially available hybrid varieties can bloom at any time of the year.
Chinese and Japanese brought out a lot miniature varieties which have gained great popularity. Highly decorative and compact in size, cymbidiums are sought after by any flower enthusiast who is keen on growing orchids. When breeding hybrids, breeders used genes that made it possible to adapt the flower to home conditions, which made easy care behind him. Some people are afraid that they won’t be able to cope with growing an orchid at home, but these fears are completely unfounded.
Gallery: cymbidium (25 photos)
Popular types of orchids
Types of Cymbidiums:
Flower cymbidium (lat. Cymbidium) belongs to the genus of evergreen epiphytes of the Orchid family, which is widespread in the subtropics of Asia and Northern Australia; its representatives are found even at an altitude of up to 2000 meters above sea level. Cymbidium flowers were introduced into culture more than two thousand years ago in China. Confucius considered them the kings of fragrances. IN modern China, as well as in Japan, natural forms of various colors of petals and leaves are cultivated, especially small species, the most fragrant of the cymbidiums, are in trend today. And in Europe and Australia, large-flowered hybrids are valued as cut crops.
They count in modern indoor floriculture more than a hundred species of cymbidiums. Cymbidiums were first described by the Swedish botanist Peter Olof Swartz in 1799.
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Planting and caring for cymbidium
- Bloom: usually in winter for 4-6 weeks.
- Lighting: long day plant, needs bright light diffuse light, and in winter - artificial lighting.
- Temperature: in summer - usual for residential premises, before and during flowering - no higher than 16 ˚C.
- Watering: during the period of active growth - frequent and abundant, before flowering - once every two weeks.
- Air humidity: 50-60%, in summer it is recommended to spray the leaves 3 times a day and keep the orchid on a tray with wet pebbles.
- Feeding: after every third watering with a fertilizer solution for orchids.
- Rest period: not expressed.
- Transfer: once every 2-3 years.
- Reproduction: dividing the bush.
- Pests: spider mites, scale insects, aphids.
- Diseases: sooty fungus, gray and brown rot, viral mosaic.
Read more about growing cymbidium below.
Cymbidium orchid - growing features
The cymbidium bulb, or rather the pseudobulb (the thickened near-earth part of the stem in which epiphytes store moisture) is ovoid in shape, the leaves are xiphoid or linear, blunt-pointed or pointed, leathery and keeled. The cymbidium peduncle can reach a height of one and a half meters. The inflorescence is a hanging loose raceme, sometimes bearing few and sometimes many flowers. The flowers themselves, depending on the variety and type different sizes– from small to large. The color range is very rich: cream, yellow, yellow-green, pink, brown, red colors and their shades. Usually the petals and sepals of cymbidium are the same color and shape - crescent-shaped or lanceolate. The sessile three-lobed lip is most often variegated and brightly colored. The flowering period of cymbidium lasts from one and a half to three months, and the life expectancy at home is from 3 to 7 years.
Among cymbidiums there are many epiphytes, and this is what determines some of the features of growing this type of orchid.
Caring for cymbidium at home
How to care for cymbidium
Growing cymbidium requires special knowledge from the grower. It is best to keep cymbidium on the windowsill large window, in bright sun, shading it at midday from direct rays, especially during flowering, with a light curtain. In general, this orchid requires a lot of light. Cymbidium usually blooms around winter months, when daylight hours are short, so you will have to organize additional lighting for the orchid.
As for air temperature, cymbidiums tolerate cool air more easily than heat and stuffiness. This is especially important in winter - being near heating devices will not give the cymbidium the opportunity to amaze you with its flowering.
Your orchid will need high air humidity, within 50-60%, so summer time you will have to spray it at least three times a day. It helps to solve the problem of air humidity by placing a pot with a plant on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay.
Watering and fertilizing cymbidium
During the period of active growth, you need to water the cymbidium abundantly, but it is important that the water after watering does not stagnate in the roots, otherwise the roots of the cymbidium may rot, and black spots will appear on the leaves. If the plant does not have enough moisture, the pseudobulbs may shrink, and the flowers and buds may fall off. As winter approaches, watering is reduced and the substrate is moistened only once every two weeks if the temperature is normal, but if the room is too warm, you will have to water more often.
Cymbidium fertilizing is combined with every third watering, and is applied in the form of solutions to an already moistened substrate. It is best to use special fertilizers for orchids for this (Kemira Lux, Ideal, Rainbow) in half the concentration indicated on the package. In mid-summer, the nitrogen component should be reduced and the potassium component increased. During the flowering period, the orchid does not need feeding.
Cymbidium transplant
Caring for cymbidium also involves transplanting the plant into a larger pot as the roots fill the old one. This need happens once every two to three years. This is done after the orchid has already bloomed and the young shoots have grown to at least 5 cm in height. How to transplant cymbidium?
First, let's choose a substrate for cymbidium. Soil for cymbidium can be purchased specially for orchids, or you can make it yourself. To do this, you need to take as a basis pine bark and add to it finely chopped sphagnum moss and fern roots, a little rotted horse humus and charcoal. Mix all the ingredients, pour into a pot, which should already have a drainage layer of expanded clay or clay shards, a 2-3 cm layer of substrate and move the cymbidium with an earthen lump into the pot, then add enough substrate so that the cymbidium pseudobulbs are above the ground level.
If the orchid's roots were not damaged during replanting, water the plant along the edge of the pot, but if you had to clean root system from rotten areas, it is better to postpone watering for a couple of days. The cymbidium in the new pot is placed in partial shade, where it will recover for some time from the stress caused by the transplant.
How to make cymbidium bloom
Different varieties and types of cymbidium bloom in different time, and the duration of their flowering is also different. But any of the specimens of this genus will bloom poorly or will not set buds at all at temperatures above 22 ºC. Since cymbidiums from mountainous areas were mainly used to create modern hybrids, it can be assumed that the conditions for flowering they will need are approximately the same as in their habitats, namely: bright light and the difference between day and night temperatures is 4-5 degrees.
Those orchids that bloom in spring and summer do not need to specially arrange temperature “swings” - at this time of year such temperature changes are quite natural in nature, and if your orchid is in the garden or on the balcony, it will easily withstand night temperatures down to 5 ºC, but it will bloom on time and abundantly.
But in winter, when in the room where cymbidium grows, it works around the clock heating system, you’ll have to come up with something... You can, for example, put cymbidium on a balcony or loggia at night if they are insulated. The most abundant flowering with the largest flowers occurs in cymbidium orchids in the third year of growth.
Cymbidium propagation
Cymbidium reproduces vegetatively - by dividing the bush. This procedure is performed when replanting a plant. When you remove the orchid from the pot, you will see that under the substrate it has a whole tangle of tangled roots, and in the lower part they are dry and gray. You need to cut off this with a sharp sterile knife. bottom part coma with dry roots and carefully cut the plant into fragments, each of which will contain a succulent pseudobulb and several roots. The cuttings need to be treated with charcoal, and the cuttings should be planted in different pots with a substrate and provided with constant high humidity by watering and spraying until they have new leaves or shoots - a signal that the plant has taken root.
Pests and diseases of cymbidium
Cymbidium does not bloom
If your cymbidium is turning beautifully green, but is clearly not going to bloom, give it a shake-up: reduce watering and arrange a difference between day and night temperatures of 4-5 degrees. Night temperature 10-13 ºC is optimal for forcing cymbidium to flower.
Cymbidium dries out
If only the ends of the leaves dry, it means there is not enough moisture in the room. high humidity air. You will have to spray the plant more often (remember: at least three times a day) and place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Sometimes the tips of the leaves dry out from too frequent or abundant moisture - the soil should dry out between waterings.
Cymbidium turns yellow
Sometimes this is a sign that the roots are rotting. Try to remove upper layer substrate and examine the roots. If rot is detected, if it is not too late, the plant will have to be replanted, clearing the root system of rotten areas. And try to determine the cause of the decay, otherwise the situation may repeat itself.
From pests spider mites, aphids and scale insects are dangerous for orchids, and diseases– brown and gray rot, mosaic and sooty fungus. Mosaic is a viral disease that cannot be treated, so the plant will have to be destroyed, but you can fight rot: remove the affected parts of the plant, reduce watering and move it to a warmer room.
Types and varieties of cymbidium
We invite you to get acquainted with the most attractive types of cymbidium in our opinion.
Cymbidium eburneum
Or “ivory” is distinguished by large petals of a very beautiful creamy shade. The aroma of the flower resembles the smell of lilac. The orchid blooms in spring and prefers moderate temperatures.
Cymbidium aloifolium
A miniature orchid, reaching a height of only 30 cm, with beautiful flowers pale yellow color with burgundy and cream shades. Flower diameter 4.5 cm.
Cymbidium lancifolium
An orchid with flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, in which the sepals and petals are light green with a central dark red vein, and the lip is white and green with red-brown stripes on the side lobes and with red specks and spots on the middle one. Blooms from April to October.
Day's Cymbidium (Cymbidium dayanum)
It has a multi-flowered inflorescence with flowers 5 cm in diameter. Sepals and petals are colored Ivory with a dark red central vein, the anterior lobe of the white lip is strongly curled, the callus is cream or white. The orchid is native to the Philippines and Sumatra. This species blooms from August to December. The most famous varieties are “Twelve” and “Tavoy”.
Cymbidium tracyanum
It is a multi-flowered orchid with a very fifteen-centimeter diameter fragrant flowers yellow-green with dotted red-brown lines along the veins. The lip is wavy and sometimes fringed along the edge, cream-colored with red stripes and spots along the anterior lobe. The brush reaches 120 cm in length and has up to 20 flowers. Blooms from September to January.
Cymbidium lowianum
An epiphyte whose flowers reach 20 cm in diameter. Their sepals and petals are also greenish-yellow, and the three-lobed lip is dark crimson with a yellow outline along the edge of the middle lobe. The inflorescence is multi-flowered. The orchid reaches almost a meter in height, the leaves are linear, 75 cm long. The plant’s homeland is Burma. Flowering occurs from February to June. The most popular variety is “Lilliput”.
One of the reasons why cymbidium does not bloom is non-compliance temperature regime when growing it in room conditions. Cymbidium in wildlife- a mountain orchid, and in the mountains it is cold, and there is a large difference in night/day temperatures. This is what needs to be achieved for the cymbidium to bloom at home.
An approximate annual “schedule” for the maintenance of cymbidium, although the timing may differ slightly for early and late varieties, the main thing is to understand when and what to do. You can take the end of flowering as a starting point.
After cymbidium is fading, he's starting rest period, it does not grow, it seems to freeze. At this time, you need to reduce the temperature to +10 +14 o C. During the dormant period, watering should be more than moderate, which can even be replaced by spraying, without fertilizing, or once a month, but with a very weak solution of liquid fertilizers. This period for some varieties of cymbidium can last January-February, for others - until April.
In April, cymbidium wakes up, and he begins active growth phase. New roots grow and young shoots appear. Cymbidium is moved to a warm place with a temperature of +20 +22 o C.
During the period of active growth, which lasts from approximately April to June, cymbidium is watered abundantly, constantly sprayed and intensively fed once every two weeks. For feeding, it is advisable to use mineral liquid fertilizer or organic matter, for example, a solution of bird droppings (you can use passerine or pigeon), and you only need a little bit of it - a pinch per 1 liter of water. But even without organic matter, it is quite possible to get by with a balanced liquid fertilizer for orchids.
From June to September at cymbidium flower stalks are laid. During this period, cymbidium is best kept on fresh air in the garden, because to set flower stalks, cymbidium needs bright lighting (but without fanaticism, otherwise the leaves will get burned), and it also needs a large difference in day/night temperatures of 8-10 degrees. Such a temperature difference in summer is possible only at outdoors. (Either a garden or a balcony, the choice is small).
At the same time, there is a supply of nutrients in the pseudobulbs of cymbidium, they increase in size. By the end of summer, watering the orchid is gradually reduced by a third. Some gardeners apply pH stress to the orchid - they spill the substrate with a 0.01% solution of sulfuric acid. As a result, the substrate in the pot acquires an acidic pH reaction of the soil. You can acidify the substrate with others by special means care flower crops, for example, the drug Kislinka.
This “feeding” with sulfuric acid has a beneficial effect on the formation of cymbidium flower stalks. Day/night temperature difference, bright lighting — the necessary conditions in order for the cymbidium to lay peduncles. Without this it will never bloom. Cymbidium can be kept outdoors until mid-October; it can withstand even a significant drop in air temperature down to +5 o C.
If the care was correct, in September-October, cymbidium enters the budding period. It is brought into the room, that is, the temperature of the cymbidium changes from +14 o C to +20 +22 o C, but not higher than +28 o C, since too large a temperature difference can cause the buds to fall off. It is important that during the period of cymbidium budding and flowering, the temperature in the room remains approximately the same, without temperature fluctuations. It is better, of course, if the room is cool. At this time, the cymbidium no longer grows; watering is moderate, without fertilizing. After flowering there is a period of rest, and again the temperature should drop to +10 +14 o C. At the same time, a transplant can be done if necessary.
There is another reason why cymbidium does not bloom: the old pseudobulbs have bloomed and died, and the new ones, newly formed, pseudobulbs are still young. They enter the flowering period only in the third year.
Image source flickr.com: whitesnake1974, Paula Azevedo, xaviergardens, Eerika Schulz
Cymbidium is one of the most beautiful representatives in the diverse family of orchids. The flowers of this plant are readily used by florists when making the most exquisite bouquets. Breeders are currently breeding more and more new hybrid varieties cymbidium, which are intended for growing indoors.
Caring for this flower is not easy, but if you follow all the basic care requirements, the plant will actively grow and delight its owners with beautiful blooms.
This flower, like most plants from the orchid family, is an epiphyte. Epiphytes grow or attach to trees (shrubs, etc.), using them only for support. Epiphytes obtain nutrients from photosynthesis, and moisture from environment. Cymbidium's habitat is the above-ground part of trees growing in the tropics. Some types of this flower can grow on soil and on stones.
This flower develops not due to the growth of the trunk or shoots - this orchid does not have them - but due to the formation of more and more new rosettes, from which new peduncles appear. After some time, a pseudobulb appears in the center of the rosette, which is the growth point of the cymbidium. Peduncles may have different shapes – straight, curved, hanging down. And flowers of unusual beauty grow on it. The flowering period of this orchid is a couple of months. After cutting, these flower stalks also remain in water for a long time.
Cymbidium is one of the most beautiful representatives in the diverse family of orchids
Description of Cymbidium orchid species
Before deciding which type of cymbidium to purchase for your apartment, you should get to know them better.
Cumbidium lancifolium
The flowers of this variety have a diameter of 4.5 - 5 cm, their petals and sepals are a soft emerald color, and there is a red vein in the center. Lip – white with green tint, on the side lobes there are brown-red stripes, and on the central lobe there are red specks. Flowering - from the first ten days of April to the end of September.
Cumbidium lancifolium
Gallery: Cymbidium orchid (25 photos)
Cymbidium eburneum
It has another name: “ivory”. The flower petals are painted a beautiful cream color. Their scent is reminiscent of lilac. Blooms in early spring.
Cymbidium eburneum
Cymbidium tracyanum
On the peduncle there are many large flowers (12 - 14 cm in diameter) green with a yellow tint, with characteristic dotted stripes of a brownish tint in the veins. The peduncle reaches 1.2 m in length, 18–20 buds can bloom on each one.
Cymbidium tracyanum
Cymbidium aloifolium
This dwarf type of orchid grows no more than 0.3 m in height. Its flowers are pale yellow with burgundy or beige shade. Their diameter is 4 – 4.5 cm.
Cymbidium aloifolium
Day's Cymbidium (Cumbidium dayanum)
The inflorescence consists of large quantity medium-sized flowers (about 4.5 cm). The petals are ivory in color and have a red vein running down the center. The lip is white, the front blade curls outward. Blooms from late August to early December. Homeland: Philippines and Sumatra.
Day's Cymbidium (Cumbidium dayanum)
Yellowish-white Cymbidium (Cumbidium eburneum)
Grows in the Himalayas. The plant is large in size, the foliage is linear, the brushes are arched. Flowers with pleasant aroma, the diameter of each is about 7 cm. The color of the petals is cream, the edges of the lip are wavy, and the base is yellow with red specks.
Yellowish-white Cymbidium (Cumbidium eburneum)
Cymbidium lowianum
Is an epiphyte with large flowers(up to 18 – 20 cm in diameter). The petals and sepals are emerald with a yellow tint, the lip consists of three lobes, a crimson shade runs along the edge of the middle lobe with a yellow stripe. Orchid height – about 1.1 m, foliage is narrow, oblong.
Cymbidium lowianum
Cymbidium dwarf (Cumbidium pumilium)
The petals are brown, with a red tint. The edges are yellow. The lip is white and covered with red specks. The peduncle is erect, small (about 11 cm), the flowers reach 8–10 cm in diameter. One of the rarest species.
Cymbidium dwarf (Cumbidium pumilium)
Cymbidium ensifolium (Cumbidium ensifolium)
Orchid growing in rocks. Petals are pale yellow with red veins, speckled at the base burgundy shade. The lip is green or yellow, there are red specks on the middle blade, and stripes on the side blades. brown tint. On each inflorescence there are up to three flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm. The peduncle is straight, up to 60 cm in height. Blooms from mid-January to late April.
Cymbidium ensifolium (Cumbidium ensifolium)
Wonderful cymbidium (Cumbidium insigne)
Is an epiphat. The flowers of the plant are white or light pink in color with reddish specks. All lobes also have purple speckles. Each peduncle has up to 15 flowers (their diameter is 7.5 cm). Peduncle height – 70 – 75 cm. Blooms from early February to late May.
Wonderful cymbidium (Cumbidium insigne)
Giant Cymbidium (Cumbidium giganteum)
Each peduncle bears 12–14 flowers with a wonderful aroma. The diameter of each is 10 cm, the petals are green with a yellow tint, and red stripes run along the entire length of the petals. The lip is cream-colored, covered with specks and stripes.
Giant Cymbidium (Cumbidium giganteum)
Caring for a cymbidium orchid at home
Although this plant is quite capricious, even those who have never had experience in growing epiphytes can still take care of it. You just need to follow all agrotechnical measures, so that the orchid feels comfortable in the apartment.
Requirements for pots and soil
If gardeners are not too well versed in how to make their own soil mixture for these flowers, it is better to purchase a suitable substrate in a specialized store. You just need to inform the seller for what type of cymbidium the soil mixture is being purchased, since each of them requires its own composition useful substances, as well as pH.
Features of growing cymbidium (video)
Cymbidium is best suited to a substrate consisting of:
- pine bark;
- dry fern roots;
- live sphagnum moss.
Ordinary soil is not suitable for these plants - their root system will immediately begin to rot, because the roots of this orchid have poor aeration. Therefore, only a special substrate can ensure sufficient oxygen supply to the roots.
The pot for cymbidium should be wide enough, but the depth of the pot does not matter. There should be a drainage hole at the bottom for exit excess water, and at the bottom there is a layer of drainage material.
The pot for cymbidium should be wide enough
Lighting, humidity and temperature
Cymbidium requires constant lighting for 12 - 14 hours a day all year round. Therefore, those who are going to grow such an orchid should take into account this nuance of care. And in winter the plant needs even more light than in summer period. But here straight Sun rays are fatal to the plant. Therefore, the optimal place for such an orchid is windows facing east or west. If the apartment has only southern windows, then the flower is protected from the sun with a special film. You can also hang orchid pots on the wall in flowerpots, or place them on shelves. Hybrids are less demanding on lighting, but they need a certain amount of light.
During growth and flowering, as throughout the year, orchids of this species require high level humidity in the room (the same as they are used to in natural conditions). This humidity can be achieved using special devices, or spraying the foliage of orchids. You can also place containers of water next to the plants.
How to transplant cymbidium (video)
Most species of such orchids (as well as their hybrids) do not tolerate heat indoors; coolness is better for them. It is also necessary that the temperature difference between day and night be about 8 degrees. Only such differences in night and day temperatures are one of the reasons for the excellent flowering of cymbidium.
Since at home it is quite difficult to maintain more low temperature at night, many gardeners did not dare to grow this species. When breeding new hybrids, breeders ensured that these species were less demanding of room temperature fluctuations. But you still need to adhere to the temperature regime. When the plant is at rest, before flowering begins and immediately after it ends, the temperature in the room should be 11 - 12 degrees.
During growth and flowering, as throughout the year, cymbidium orchids require high levels of indoor humidity.
Frequency and rules of watering
How often this plant needs to be watered depends on the room temperature and air humidity. The higher the temperature and drier the air, the more often you should moisten the soil in the pot. Usually water the plant from the shower, the water temperature should be about 35⸰С). By regularly using this type of watering, you can achieve rapid growth vegetative mass of an orchid and active flowering.
The frequency of watering depends on how quickly the soil dries out.
Feeding cymbidium orchid
This “whim” is very demanding on the composition of the fertilizers with which it is fed. During the growing season, fertilizers should be applied at least twice. The first feeding is carried out at the beginning growing season, the second one at the end. It is better to buy fertilizer special for orchids– they will be sold in any specialized store. If by chance it was not on sale, it can be used for feeding universal fertilizer, only its dose should be half that indicated on the package.
During the growing season of cymbidium, fertilizers should be applied at least twice
Fertilizer is applied to the soil only after watering. The amount of nitrogen in fertilizers should be as small as possible, especially before flowering begins and the flower goes into hibernation. IN winter period Cymbidium is not fed at all. If the orchid is sick, then fertilizers are also not applied - nutrients aggravate the situation, and the plant may die.
Features of transplantation
If all the rules for caring for this type of orchid are followed, then it begins to grow very quickly, and the previous pot will become too small for it. Therefore for better growth new sockets will soon need replanting. The width of the new pot is usually several times larger than the previous one. And how deep is it? special significance does not have.
When replanting an orchid, the following rules must be observed:
- Remove the plant from the container carefully so as not to damage the roots and rosettes.
- The old bark must be removed.
- The roots should be carefully inspected and old, damaged or beginning to rot should be removed.
- If wounds are found on the roots, they are treated activated carbon or brilliant green.
Only after carrying out the above procedures is the orchid placed in a new container. IN new soil pseudobulbs are not buried lower than they were in the previous pot, otherwise the rosettes will begin to rot.
After transplantation, the orchid is not watered for several days. But if the room is too hot, then the foliage of this flower should be moistened.
For better growth of new cymbidium rosettes, replanting will soon be required.
Cymbidium orchid blooming
If all necessary agrotechnical measures are observed, the cymbidium will bloom actively. Most beautiful bloom observed in new hybrid varieties.
Timing and duration of flowering
Typically the peduncle grows in August. They should be attached to a support (a bamboo stick is best for this), in this case the peduncle with big amount the flower on it will not break or bend. It is better to keep the orchid outdoors in the summer, and bring it indoors only when night temperatures drop below 12 degrees.
And the first buds appear at the end of autumn, and the orchid will bloom for at least 50-65 days. Experienced flower growers They do not wait for the end of flowering and cut off the peduncle earlier. Cut flowers stand in water for at least 25 - 30 days. 23 - 28 flowers can bloom on one peduncle.
Cymbidium will bloom for at least 50-65 days
Why the cymbidium orchid does not bloom: determine the reasons
The main reasons why an orchid does not bloom are the following:
- the flower is too young - the plant blooms for the first time when it is 3 years old;
- the orchid does not have enough lighting;
- there is no temperature difference between day and night;
- too much heat indoor air (above 21 degrees).
How to make cymbidium bloom
In order for the orchid to bloom, sufficient lighting should be provided - daylight indoors should last at least 12 - 13 hours (especially in winter). Also the room should be warmer during the day than at night, by 4 - 5 degrees. The temperature in the room where the plant is grown should not be higher than 20 degrees. You can also give the plant an additional shake-up - reduce the number of waterings.
How to fertilize cymbidium (video)
Other difficulties when growing orchids
This flower may begin to hurt if the air humidity in the room is not high enough (the tips of the foliage begin to dry out). If rot has affected the roots, the plant begins to turn yellow. In this case, you should carefully examine the root system, remove rotting areas of the roots and determine the reason why the roots of the plant are “sick.”
Despite the fact that caring for this “whim” is not easy, the beautiful flowering more than pays off all the efforts of flower growers.
Estimate
Cymbidium is an orchid native to northern India and China. Unlike other types, it does not require any special conditions content, therefore it can be grown without much difficulty even by novice gardeners.
Cymbidium plants are characterized by long, linear leaves. Subject to favorable conditions When grown, each leaf of this orchid can live for about 3 years. After it dies, a pseudobulb remains, which is capable of producing new leaves.
All orchids from this group have flowers that have a rather strong, pleasant scent. Various species hybrids of these plants can be found on sale.
Home care
At proper care The Cymbidium orchid is able to delight its owners with long-lasting and abundant flowering for 3 or more months.
Lighting
For successful growth and development, this plant requires bright, but diffused light; it feels very good on windows of eastern and western orientation.
Southern and southwestern window sills are almost unsuitable for growing it. It's too late at lunchtime bright sun, which can cause serious burns to the flower.
Note: In case of insufficient lighting, cymbidium flower stalks that have just begun to grow may dry out. Therefore in winter time For successful plant growth, it is advisable to illuminate it using special phyto-lamps.
Temperature
Throughout the winter for normal development Cymbidium requires coolness, the temperature should be within 15°. In most city apartments it is very difficult to find a place with such a temperature, so if there is glass loggia you can take the flower there.
In order for this orchid to bloom, it will need to be provided with differences between day and night temperatures, the difference should be at least 4°. If this condition is met, Cymbidiums can bloom almost all year round.
The soil
To grow this tropical plant a special substrate consisting of bark, peat, sand and gravel is required. The main requirement when composing the soil is its good moisture permeability.
Watering
Orchids though moisture-loving plants, but they require quite rare watering: once every 3-4 weeks is enough. It will be best for them if the ambient humidity is about 50-60%.
To water Cymbidium, it is best to use warm, settled water, but be sure to ensure that it does not accumulate and stagnate in the tray under the pot. Even short-term overwatering can cause root rot.
Take note: optimal temperature irrigation water should be about 35°.
To support around the orchids high humidity air, you can place a small container of water next to the pot, and also regularly spray the plant.
Top dressing
During the period of intensive growth, the plant requires special fertilizing. For these purposes, it is best to use liquid fertilizers intended for orchids.
The frequency of application and dosage of fertilizing may vary, their performance will depend on specific type fertilizers
Transfer
Adult Cymbidium plants need to be replanted no more than once every 3 years. It is best to do this immediately after flowering has ended.
At good care each bulb of this orchid produces 1-2 babies per year. Therefore, propagation of cymbidium is not particularly difficult.
Take note: to understand whether it is time to replant a plant, just look at its roots. If in the center of the bush the bulbs are already brown and dry, and at the edges the leaves and roots are intertwined into one, then it’s time to start replanting.