Detailed Guide to Growing Cymbidium Orchids in Winter
The blooming period of Cymbidium orchids runs from October to April of the following year, so the entire winter is exactly the blooming period for Cymbidium orchids. During the plant's blooming period, we need to keep the care temperature at 5-15°C, give plenty of sunlight, and normally insert a bamboo stick into the pot, pull it out from time to time to check it, and when the bamboo stick is observed to be dry, water thoroughly; when ventilation is good, frequently spray water around the plant to increase humidity, but be careful not to splash water onto the flower buds, so as to avoid flower drop.
1. Temperature: Cymbidium orchids prefer cool conditions, and the most suitable growing temperature for them is 10-25°C. During the winter blooming period of Cymbidium orchids, if the care temperature can be maintained at 5-15°C, the Cymbidium orchid can bloom continuously for more than 3 months without fading.
2. Light: Cymbidium orchids like light. Under conditions of sufficient light, the plant's leaf growth is favored, which in turn promotes the formation of flower spikes and makes the plant bloom more; moreover, winter sunlight is warm and soft, so no shading is needed at all, and it can be moved directly to a south-facing balcony to bask in the sun.
3. Watering: Cymbidium orchids have relatively high requirements for water quantity and water quality. In winter, a bamboo stick can be inserted into the pot, pulled out from time to time to check it, and when the bamboo stick is observed to be dry, water thoroughly. The water used for watering should be left to sit and air out one day in advance. Watering with slightly acidic water is more beneficial to the growth of Cymbidium orchids.
4. Humidity: Cymbidium orchids like to grow in a high-humidity environment, and too-low humidity is not conducive to the plant's growth and development. Moreover, in winter, heated indoor rooms are especially dry, so it is necessary to frequently spray water around the plant to increase humidity, but be careful not to splash water onto the flower buds, so as to avoid flower drop.
5. Fertilizing: If the Cymbidium orchid has not bloomed, a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be applied once a month to promote flowering. If the Cymbidium orchid has already bloomed, or was just newly bought from the flower market, then do not fertilize; wait until the plant's flowers fade and it is pruned before fertilizing.