Cymbidium sinense growing methods and watering techniques: fertilize lightly, avoid strong doses, and adjust watering according to the season

SummaryGrowing methods: Cymbidium sinense prefers a warm, humid and well-ventilated environment, avoids direct sunlight and water accumulation in the pot. The most suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C. In winter it can be moved indoors or a plastic shed can be built to help it overwinter. Fertilizing should be light rather than strong. From late spring to late autumn, fertilize once every 20 days, and after fertilizing spray a small amount of clean water. Watering methods: In winter and spring, water in the morning, once a week; in summer and autumn, water after the sun sets, about once every 3 days.

I. Growing methods for Cymbidium sinense

Habits of Cymbidium sinense: Cymbidium sinense likes warmth and humidity, good ventilation, and requires high air humidity. Indoor relative air humidity should not be lower than 50%, and is generally around 80%. If the humidity is low, methods such as placing a tall orchid pot with a water tray at the bottom holding water 1.5 cm to 2 cm deep to increase local air humidity, and spraying the leaf surface 2-3 times a day, can be used to increase humidity.

Growing environment: Household indoor cultivation of Cymbidium sinense must have ventilation on all sides. It needs plenty of water but must avoid water accumulation in the pot, otherwise the leaves and stems easily rot. Use more diluted fertilizer. Its growth is slow, the plant is not easy to age, and the leaves are dark green, wide and thick. The flowering period is from January to March. Around 10 a.m. and around 7 p.m., the floral fragrance is more noticeable, and it is related to the ambient temperature.

Soil: It needs soil rich in humus, and the soil must be acidic and loose. You can choose leaf mold from the forest, rotten tree bark, coarse river sand, rice husks, sphagnum moss, spent edible mushroom substrate, etc.

Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for Cymbidium sinense is 20-28°C. Below 20°C growth is slow, while above 30°C it enters a dormant state. When overwintering, move Cymbidium sinense indoors; it can overwinter safely without heating measures. If growing it on a large scale in a courtyard, plastic film needs to be set up for insulation.

Light: Cymbidium sinense is suitable for living in a semi-shaded environment. Except in winter and spring, it avoids direct sunlight. In winter and spring it can be exposed to morning sunlight for about 2-3 hours a day. In summer and autumn it all needs shading. The orchid pot can be placed under the eaves, and after 9 a.m. it should not be directly exposed to sunlight. It is best to ensure a suitable growing temperature of 20°C-28°C, and during the dormant period the temperature should be around 12°C to 15°C during the day and around 8°C to 12°C at night. A brief low temperature below 2°C will cause some cold damage to Cymbidium sinense.

Pot selection: Flower pots suitable for planting Cymbidium sinense include plastic pots, clay pots, glazed pots, ceramic pots, etc. They can be placed on a balcony or grown indoors. Since household Cymbidium sinense growing is for ornamental purposes, purple clay pots or plastic pots are more suitable choices.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing Cymbidium sinense should be light rather than strong. Start fertilizing in late spring, and do not fertilize after late autumn. The best fertilizing temperature is 18-25°C. Fertilize once every 20 days. After fertilizing, spray a small amount of clean water to prevent fertilizer from sticking to the leaves.

II. Methods and precautions for watering Cymbidium sinense

1. Watering methods

Watering Cymbidium sinense is the same as for other orchids. The potting soil needs to be kept moist without water accumulation, otherwise the leaves and stems easily rot. Do not wait until it is completely dry before watering.

Watering time varies by season: in winter and spring, water in the morning; in summer and autumn, start after the sun sets.

Watering frequency varies by season: generally in the low-temperature seasons of winter and spring, water once every 4-7 days; in the high-temperature, dry seasons of summer and autumn, water once every 2-3 days.

Watering time and frequency should be combined: judge flexibly according to the dry and wet condition of the potting soil, sunny or rainy weather, and air humidity.

2. Precautions when watering Cymbidium sinense

① Unless the pot is already dry, generally do not water on cloudy and rainy days. Within three days after spraying pesticide, generally do not water or spray.

② Pay attention to the water temperature when watering: the temperature of the water used and the soil temperature must not differ too much.

③ In winter, the watering frequency for Cymbidium sinense is best once every five to seven days, choosing slightly dry potting soil. In spring, the watering amount should be appropriately increased. From early summer to early autumn, it needs to be watered once a day around sunset. In the two seasons of winter and spring, watering must be done around sunrise, and when necessary, spray should also be used to increase the humidity in the air.

④ When watering with tap water, the water should be left to stand naturally for two or three days before use.

⑤ For soil selection, choose soil with good drainage.