Cymbidium Culture
Lighting & Temperature: Cymbidiums like moderate to bright light (2500 to 3500 footcandles). This may be in the form of good morning sun or bright, "dappled" afternoon shade. During their growing season, these orchids prefer daytime temperatures of 65 to 82 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 50 to 65 degrees. Our Summer temperatures are fine if the plants are protected from hot, dry conditions. During the Spring and Summer and in the Fall until danger of frost, an ideal location would be just inside the "drip-line" of a good shade tree.
Moisture: During their growing season, Cymbidiums should be kept evenly moist. (Not soggy wet.) In colder weather, they should be allowed to get slightly dryer. Never allow water to collect around the bulbs, and never allow the plants to stand in water.
Fertilizer: Cymbidiums should be fed just after every third watering (or about once every two weeks). Remember, Cymbidiums are watered frequently. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer such as Growmore 20-10-20 from march to May, a balanced fertilizer such as Growmore 20-20-20 from June until September and a blossom booster such as Growmore 6-30-30 from October until February. Heavy watering once every month is necessary to leach accumulated fertilizer salts from the potting medium.
Soil: Cymbidiums should be repotted every other year in the Spring. Flower spikes may have to be removed in order to report before Summer. (The cut flowers may be enjoyed for weeks after their removal if kept in water.) Our pre-packaged seedling mix is an excellent medium for Cymbidiums. Moistening the fresh mix before repotting is beneficial. The new container should have enough space to allow 2 years growth (based on mature bulb size). The pseudobulbs should rest just at the top of the mix. Do not bury the pseudobulbs.
Note: This guide is only applicable to cymbidiums. For other varieties, please click on one of these links:
See also:
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