How to Grow Cymbidium faberi? Detailed Guide to Soil Selection and Care Methods

Cymbidium faberi is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Cymbidium in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is a type of orchid, with upright and firm flower stems, large petals, many flower colors, and a relatively long flowering period, and many people want to grow it. So, how do you grow Cymbidium faberi and what soil should you use?

1. Soil

Cymbidium faberi is a semi-epiphytic flowering plant, so it needs acidic soil that contains humus and has good air permeability. You can mix it yourself by combining 70% sandy loam + 30% coarse-grained humus soil, and use it after disinfection and sterilization; you can also buy special growing medium online or from the market.

2. Temperature

Cymbidium faberi prefers warm winters and cool summers, with an optimal growing temperature of 10°C-25°C. In summer, when the temperature is high, mist the orchid appropriately to cool it down; in winter, when the temperature is low, move it indoors to overwinter when the temperature is between 2-3°C.

3. Light

Cymbidium faberi likes strong light and can tolerate intense light of 50000 to 70000 lux. From early to mid-March to April, it can be exposed to sunlight; from late April onward, it should not be exposed to much sun after 9 a.m.; from June to September, shade it earlier each day; after October, shading can be delayed.

4. Watering

The watering principle is “prefer dry over wet”. You can use river water, spring water, or well water with a pH of 5-6, and do not let it get rained on. In January and February, water once a week; in March and April, water once every 3-4 days; in May, water once every 2 days; in June, water once a day; in July and August, water once every 3 days; from September to December, gradually reduce from watering twice a day to once a week.

5. Fertilizing

The fertilizing principle is “apply thin fertilizer frequently”. Generally, start fertilizing in May before new shoots emerge and stop at the beginning of autumn (Liqiu), applying fertilizer once every 15-20 days in the evening. Cymbidium faberi should be fertilized more than 10 times a year, including bud-breaking fertilizer, bud-promoting fertilizer, flower bud-promoting fertilizer, growth-promoting fertilizer, flower-supporting fertilizer, post-bloom recovery fertilizer, cold-resistance fertilizer, transition fertilizer, and root-promoting fertilizer, with each type applied once or twice. The fertilizer must be dilute, otherwise it will damage the leaves and roots.