How to grow Cymbidium faberi? Daily care methods explained in one article
In China, Cymbidium faberi has a very long history. Because the love for orchids in China is extremely high, Cymbidium faberi is also very popular. But like other Chinese orchids, if you want to grow Cymbidium faberi well, you need to pay attention to some daily care methods.
Cymbidium faberi
The environment for growing Cymbidium faberi should be ventilated and full of sunlight. Growing Cymbidium faberi on an enclosed balcony requires no shading throughout the year, so you can safely let the orchid bathe in the sunlight. If you use an open balcony or courtyard to grow Cymbidium faberi, since the orchids are mostly exposed to sunlight, proper shading is necessary in summer, early autumn and late spring, but the shading degree should be less than for other Chinese orchids.
The growing medium should be breathable, drain well and be rich in nutrients. The best growing medium for Cymbidium faberi is a mixed medium, which refers to a kind of orchid growing medium made by mixing soil-based media, hard media and organic media in a certain proportion. This medium combines the advantages of three kinds of orchid growing media in one and is very suitable for orchid growth.
Plant in larger pots, and do not water too much. Cymbidium faberi has a well-developed root system and strong water absorption capacity, so the pot should be appropriately larger, and the choice of pot should be based on the standard that the roots can spread freely. Watering should be based on the condition of the growing medium and flexibly controlled according to the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet." Compared with Cymbidium goeringii, the watering frequency should be appropriately less. In places where air pollution is not serious, Cymbidium faberi can be allowed to receive more rain and dew on rainy days; rain and dew nourish Cymbidium faberi so it grows more robustly.
Provide sufficient vernalization, and the temperature difference between day and night should be large. Cymbidium faberi has strong cold tolerance. On clear winter days, windows should be opened appropriately during the day for ventilation, and the temperature should be controlled between 0°C and 10°C. This not only solves the vernalization problem but also tempers the orchid plant, ensuring timely flowering in late spring and early summer of the following year, with flower quality in place. If the winter temperature is too high, flower buds may become stunted, shrink, or the flower scape may not grow tall.
Avoid dividing the plants too frequently. Cymbidium faberi has small pseudobulbs and stores few nutrients. Compared with Cymbidium goeringii, it is even less suitable for frequent division, otherwise the result will be contrary to what one wants. Even if a single plant survives cultivation, the seedlings produced are often weak and small, so the gain is not worth the loss. Orchid enthusiasts should be cautious about doing this.
Daily cultivation and care of Cymbidium hybridum
Cymbidium hybridum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the orchid family, reaching up to 1 m in height, with 8 to 10 linear leaves born at the top of the pseudobulb, 60 cm to 70 cm long and about 5 cm wide. The inflorescence is 45 cm to 60 cm long, emerging from the base, with 5 to 10 flowers per inflorescence. The flowers are large, and depending on the variety, they may be red, white, yellow, green, etc. The lip usually has dark markings or spots, and is extremely beautiful. It generally blooms in winter and spring.
Cymbidium hybridum is a hybrid species. It likes a semi-shaded, ventilated and cool environment, and dislikes waterlogging and muggy heat. For pot cultivation, loose soil with good air permeability should be used. In summer, avoid direct sunlight; in autumn, winter and spring, receive as much sunlight as possible. The suitable growth temperature is 15°C to 25°C. At this temperature, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once a month and ensure sufficient water. In winter, reduce watering and maintain a room temperature of 7°C to 13°C. Potted Cymbidium hybridum can be repotted once every three years, and division propagation can be carried out together with repotting. The repotting season can be chosen in warm spring.
Cymbidium hybridum is an orchid variety more commonly cultivated in Europe and America. Its flower stems are sturdy and its flowers are large and brightly colored. It can be used as a medium to large potted plant, placed beside living room doors, on stands in front of windows, in indoor corners and on balconies for display and decoration. In addition, its flower stems are often used as materials for cut flowers and flower arrangements.
Home cultivation methods and precautions for Cymbidium hybridum
Is Cymbidium hybridum suitable for growing at home?
The leaves of Cymbidium hybridum are very slender, and the flowers are full, gorgeous and large, with high ornamental value. It is very suitable for cut flowers and home potted decoration, and placing it in the living room and on the balcony can beautifully decorate the home environment.
How does Cymbidium hybridum propagate?
Division propagation method for Cymbidium hybridum
Usually, the propagation method for Cymbidium hybridum is division propagation:
1. Choose the timing for division during the short dormant period after the plant blooms and before the new buds have grown large;
2. Carry out division when the plant roots are slightly whitish, soft and dry;
3. Healthy plants can be divided once every 2-3 years, and each divided orchid seedling cluster should carry 2-3 pseudobulbs;
4. Apply sulfur powder or carbon powder to the wounds of the plant to prevent infection;
5. After the orchid seedlings are placed in a dry place for 1-2 days, they can be potted separately. Division propagation successful!
Precautions for division propagation of Cymbidium hybridum
1. After division, Cymbidium hybridum needs to be placed in a semi-shaded place;
2. It cannot be watered immediately. If the potting soil is found to be too dry, a small amount of water can be sprayed on the leaves and the surface of the pot;
3. Normal watering can only be done after new roots grow from the base of the new buds;
4. Observe the health of the plant and avoid leaf drying, falling off and pseudobulb shrinkage (replenish water).
How should daily care be done for Cymbidium hybridum?
Soil requirements for Cymbidium hybridum
Cymbidium hybridum likes to grow in loose, breathable and well-drained soil. Leaf mold is recommended. In addition, a homemade growing medium mixed with moss, fern roots, charcoal, bark pieces, broken bricks, etc. is also a very good choice.
Try not to use ordinary growing soil or the growing soil used for cultivating Chinese orchids. If the soil has poor drainage and aeration, it can easily cause root rot in Cymbidium hybridum.
Watering requirements for Cymbidium hybridum
First, newly propagated seedlings after division must not be watered immediately. After signs of water shortage are found, spray a small amount of water to prevent the leaves from drying out. After new buds and new roots grow, water normally, with the amount of water determined by the weather and dryness/humidity.
During the growing period of Cymbidium hybridum, sufficient water should be provided. In summer, water even when the weather is hot, while in cold winter, reduce watering frequency and pay attention to the water temperature (try to keep it consistent with room temperature) to avoid freezing the plant roots.
The pH value of the water used for watering Cymbidium hybridum is best at 6.5.
Sunlight requirements for Cymbidium hybridum
Summer: shading is needed under strong light (Cymbidium hybridum does not like direct sunlight and should use scattered light), with about 50% shading being best.
Autumn: in order to help the plant better form flower buds and overwinter healthily, Cymbidium hybridum can be exposed to more sunlight in autumn.
Winter: in winter, place Cymbidium hybridum in a greenhouse in a place with strong sunlight and high temperature.
Fertilizer requirements for Cymbidium hybridum
1. Growing period: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ratio of 1:1:1;
2. Flower forcing period ratio of 1:2:2 to 3;
3. Fertilizer solution pH value of 5.8 to 6.2;
4. Fertilizer concentration for small seedlings is 3500 to 4000 times dilution, and for medium and large seedlings 2000 to 3500 times;
5. In summer, 1 to 2 times/day (applied alternately with water and fertilizer); in other seasons, usually once every 3 days;
6. Organic fertilizer: apply organic fertilizer once a month from when tissue-cultured seedlings come out of the bottle until before flowering;
7. During the growing period, the ratio of soybean cake to bone meal is 2:1; during the flower forcing period, apply pure bone meal; organic fertilizer must not be applied on the roots;
8. If bone meal contains too much salt, it can be rinsed with water before application. In winter, it is best to stop applying organic fertilizer.
Editor's summary
The above is the complete guide to home cultivation methods and precautions for Cymbidium hybridum prepared for you by the editor! After seeing so many beautiful pictures of Cymbidium hybridum, hurry up and save this article, and go grow your own gorgeous Cymbidium hybridum!