Cymbidium

Beautiful cymbidium blooming in our greenhouse.

On the West Coast of the United States, and in other cool summer areas that receive no severe frosts, cymbidiums are among the most popular of spring flowering orchids and are often grown as garden plants.  The striking sprays of long lasting blooms provide ideal home or patio accents and are often used as cut flowers.  Here on the East Coast of the US, we can grow them in the right conditions indoors.  There are both standard (large flowered) and miniature (smaller flowered) types grown.  The miniature types, often known as "novelties", are more heat tolerant but neither type is particularly good in warm summer areas.

LIGHT  Sufficient light is important for healthy growth and flower production.  Provide very bright light, up to 80% of full sun.   Leaves should be naturally erect and of a medium olive green color.  Dark green, limp foliage indicates too little light.  

TEMPERATURE  Mature plants need night temperatures in the low 60s or high 50s in late summer to initiate flowerspikes.  Provide nights of 55 to 60°F through temperatures into the 30s are tolerated; days of 70 to 85°F. Cymbidiums can tolerate temperatures up to 95 or 100°F if shading, humidity and air circulation are increased.

WATER  Mature plants must never dry out between waterings.

HUMIDITY  Cymbidiums need 50 to 60% humidity.  In the home, while in bloom, place on trays of moistened pebbles.  In greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry.

FERTILIZER  Must be provided on a reqular basis because most potting medias have too little.  The exact fertilizer you use will depend on the mix in which your plant is growing.  A good general rule is to apply a balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar ratio) fertilizer "weakly, weekly."  That is, fertilize every week at one quarter to one half of the recommended dilution. 

POTTING  Best done every two to three years in spring immediately after flowering to allow maximum time to re-establish before next flowering season.