How Often to Water Cymbidium ensifolium? Detailed Guide to Watering and Fertilizing
Cymbidium ensifolium is surely familiar to many people; we can often see it in daily life, and it is a highly ornamental plant. Many people now grow Cymbidium ensifolium, but many of them worry about fertilizer and water issues when growing it. In fact, as long as you master the techniques, it is still very simple. Let us learn about it together below!
How to water Cymbidium ensifolium (how often to water)
1. The same pot of Cymbidium ensifolium will have different watering times in different seasons. During the Spring Festival, humidity is high and temperature is low, and the plant is in its growth stage, so the water in the potting soil decreases slowly, and the watering interval is relatively longer. In summer, humidity is low and temperature is high, and the plant grows vigorously, so the water in the potting soil decreases quickly, and the watering interval is relatively shorter. Therefore, it is very difficult to give a definite answer about watering every few days.
2. When watering Cymbidium ensifolium, if the surface soil in the pot looks whitish or has cracks, it means the potting soil is dry and it is time to water. If the surface soil feels moist, it means the potting soil is still very wet and should not be watered; watering then can easily cause root rot and death. This makes it easy to judge the watering time, and after watering it is not easy to cause root rot. This watering method is relatively practical and not likely to cause problems with root rot from watering.
How to fertilize Cymbidium ensifolium
1. Sprout-promoting fertilizer: generally carried out in late spring and early summer. First use granular fertilizer 1~2 times, and apply fertilizer outside the roots as a sample (a little farther from the roots), mainly nitrogen and potassium fertilizer, which can promote the sprouting of stems and leaves above ground and promote the growth of underground rhizomes. Only when the rhizomes are strong will they provide a continuous supply of nutrients to the stems and leaves.
2. Germination fertilizer: the time is late summer and early autumn. The new shoots have already grown leaves. To promote the growth of new shoots, supplement nitrogen fertilizer, and adhere to the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently. After the new shoots unfold, switch mainly to potassium fertilizer, which can promote the rejuvenation of young seedlings. Spray once a week with potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to encourage leaf growth. Fertilizing during this period can promote thick branches and trunks, thick leaves, tender leaf color, and lush plants.
3. Flower-promoting fertilizer: before flowering, when the new branches and leaves stop growing, the plant will enter the flower bud differentiation stage. At this time, fertilizing should mainly use phosphorus fertilizer, apply foliar fertilizer once a week, and spray the agent to promote flower bud growth.
4. Dormancy fertilizer: in late autumn and early winter, after the Beginning of Winter, Cymbidium ensifolium will enter the dormant period. At this time, foliar fertilization is generally carried out, once every 15~20 days, to ensure that Cymbidium ensifolium safely overwinters, and it can also increase the germination rate in the coming spring.
How to propagate Cymbidium ensifolium by division
1. The propagation method of Cymbidium ensifolium is division propagation. Division propagation can be carried out in both spring and autumn, and it can be divided once every three years.
2. When dividing, choose robust Cymbidium ensifolium plants with dense pseudobulbs. Reduce watering before division.
3. When potting after division, first cover the hole at the bottom of the pot with broken tile pieces, then spread coarse gravel, about one-fifth to one-quarter of the depth of the flower pot, then place relatively coarse granular soil or a small amount of fine soil, and then plant with sandy soil rich in humus, so that the pseudobulbs are just buried in the soil. Keep a 2 cm rim at the edge of the flower pot, and spread fine gravel or Selaginella uncinata on top. Note that after division, each clump should retain at least 5 connected pseudobulbs.
4. Finally, water thoroughly and place in a cool place for about 10 to 15 days. During this period, keep the soil moist, then gradually reduce the amount of watering, and carry out normal care.
What to do if the leaves of Cymbidium ensifolium wither
1. The humidity of the growing environment is too low. If the humidity in the air is too low, the leaves of this plant will begin to become rough, then dull and lusterless. This is the phenomenon of withered leaves caused by air that is too dry. It is best to just spray water on the leaf surface.
2. Lighting should be reasonable. This plant likes to grow in shaded places and is afraid of overly intense light, so it must never be placed in a place where light can directly shine on it. Adjust the position in time.
3. The temperature of the growing environment should be comfortable. This plant is suitable for mild temperatures. In winter, it may wither leaves because the temperature is too low or due to frost damage; in summer, it may also suffer from summer heat because the temperature is too high, and then the base of the leaves begins to rot, causing the phenomenon of withered leaves. It is best to arrange for it to grow in a place where the temperature reaches 20 to 35 degrees.
When watering and fertilizing Cymbidium ensifolium, be sure to pay attention to the amount; too much or too little is not good for its growth. If you want Cymbidium ensifolium to grow well, you need to propagate it, among which division propagation is the most common. There are some detailed introductions above, and I hope they can be helpful to everyone.