Orchid Care & Growing

How to Care for your Cymbidium Orchid

Of all the orchids, cymbidiums are best suited for the outdoor climate. The spectacular cymbidium orchid produces tall sprays of flowers that bloom in winter and spring. The flowers come in a variety of colors and are extremely long lasting and perfectly suited for decorative use. The Cymbidium Orchid is easy to care for, and makes a showy statement in the home, workplace or garden.

WATER

• Plants should be watered about every 7 to 10 days, enough to keep moist but not wet.
• During the warmer months, the plant may require watering every 2-3 days, and a misting of the leaves.
• Water early in the morning to allow the leaves and crown to dry out by the evening.

FEEDING

• Use a water soluble fertilizer, with a balanced NPK ration of 20-20-20 or 18-18-18.
• Switch to 10-30-20 fertilizer from August to January to initiate flower spikes.
• Fertilize on a regular basis about every other watering during the summer months and every third watering during the winter months.

LIGHT and TEMPERATURE

• Plants can grow best under bright sunlight with some shade during the hottest part of the day.
• Temperatures should range between 50 to 85 degrees F. Avoid extreme temperatures and any frost.
• If the leaves turn light green w yellow cast, decrease the amount of sun exposure.
• If the leaves turn dark green, give the plant more light.
• When the plant is in bloom, it is fine to display in a prominent spot indoors.
• During the summer months cymbidiums need cool nights to initiate flowers. One way to help is to add ice to the soil. Do this every night in August after the sun sets. In the fall, keep plants outside until after the first frost.

REPOTTING

• Repot when the roots of the plant become pot-bound or when the mix begins to deteriorate, usually about every 2 years.
• Repot immediately after blooming season, using an orchid bark mix.
• Do not disturb plants too often because most cymbidiums bloom best when pot-bound.