How to propagate Cymbidium iridioides? A detailed introduction to common propagation methods
Like ordinary orchids, the propagation methods of Cymbidium iridioides are basically divided into two types: division and sowing.
Division
Division of Cymbidium iridioides can be carried out in both spring and autumn. As long as the plant grows robustly, Cymbidium iridioides with dense pseudobulbs can be divided. Before division, reduce the frequency of watering Cymbidium iridioides in order to make the potting soil relatively dry. When potting after division, first cover the bottom of the pot with broken tiles, then spread coarse gravel, then place coarse-grained soil and a small amount of fine soil, and then plant with sandy loam rich in humus, leaving a 2 cm rim at the edge of the pot, cover with Selaginella uncinata or fine gravel, then water thoroughly, place in a cool place for half a month, keep the soil moist, and gradually begin normal care.
Sowing
Cymbidium iridioides needs orchid mycorrhizal fungi or artificial culture medium to supply nutrients in order to germinate. For sowing, it is best to choose fruit that has not yet split open. First sterilize the surface with 75% alcohol, take out the seeds, soak them in 10% sodium hypochlorite for a while, then rinse with sterile water, and they can be sown in culture bottles with culture medium. Then place them in a dark culture room, keep the temperature at around 25 degrees, and after the seeds germinate, move them to natural light.
These are basically the only three pests and diseases of Cymbidium iridioides, and these are also the only two propagation methods. I hope the "beloved treasures" of friends who have Cymbidium iridioides at home will not get the above diseases! And if you have the conditions and want to grow Cymbidium iridioides, why not give it a try now!
How to grow Cymbidium iridioides
Air requirements
Cymbidium iridioides prefers shade, likes moisture, and dislikes dryness, so it is relatively suitable for planting in an environment with good air circulation.
Soil requirements
Cymbidium iridioides is suitable for sandy loam with good drainage and rich in humus, such as leaf mold or mountain soil. It can also use slightly acidic loose soil with a pH value between 5.5-6.5 or iron-containing soil.
Temperature requirements
The suitable growing temperature for Cymbidium iridioides is between 15°C and 30°C. If the temperature is too low, reaching below 5°C, it will affect the growth vigor of Cymbidium iridioides and cause it to enter a dormant state. If it is not moved in time at this time, frost damage will occur; conversely, if the temperature is too high, reaching above 35°C, Cymbidium iridioides will grow poorly, and if combined with exposure to sunlight, leaf scorching or withering will occur within one or two days.
After understanding what kind of air, soil, and temperature are most suitable for growing Cymbidium iridioides, we should also take a look at what points need attention when growing Cymbidium iridioides!
Cymbidium iridioides Cymbidium iridioides illustrated guide: how to grow Cymbidium iridioides / how to propagate Cymbidium iridioides
Cymbidium iridioides profileCymbidium iridioides Cymbidium iridioides
How to grow Cymbidium iridioides and points for attention Introduction to Cymbidium iridioides
Cymbidium iridioides, an epiphytic plant. Pseudobulbs oval-ovoid to narrowly ovoid, mostly or entirely enclosed within the leaf bases. Leaves 4-8, ligulate. Raceme with 3-17 flowers, flowers relatively large, up to 10 cm in diameter, fragrant, flowering period August-December.
Morphological characteristics of Cymbidium iridioides Stem
Epiphytic plant; pseudobulbs oval-ovoid to narrowly ovoid, 4-11 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, mostly or entirely enclosed within the leaf bases.
Leaves
Leaves 4-8, ligulate, 45-70(-90) cm long, (1.6)2-4 cm wide, apex acute, articulation located 6-15 cm from the base.
Flowers
Scape emerging from the base of the pseudobulb through the sheath, nearly erect or horizontally spreading, 40-70 cm long or longer; raceme with 3-17 flowers; floral bracts nearly triangular, 2-3 mm long; pedicel and ovary 4-4.5 cm long; flowers relatively large, up to 10 cm in diameter, fragrant; sepals and petals yellow-green, with 7-9 pale brown or reddish-brown thick veins, lip pale yellow with similar veins on the lateral lobes, mid-lobe with red spots and blotches, lamellae yellow with chestnut-colored spots at the front;
Sepals narrowly obovate-oblong, 3.7-4.5 cm long, 1.2-1.5 cm wide, lateral sepals slightly twisted; petals narrowly ovate-oblong, 3.5-4.6 cm long, 7-9 mm wide, slightly falcate; lip nearly elliptic, slightly shorter than the petals, 3-lobed, base connate with the column for 4-5 mm; lateral lobes with short cilia on the margin, with short hairs above; mid-lobe strongly recurved, with 2-3 rows of long hairs in the center, connected to the apex of the lamellae and extending to the upper part of the mid-lobe, the rest sparsely short-hairy, margin erose and wavy;
On the lip disc, 2 longitudinal lamellae extend from the upper part to the middle, but rapidly become narrow toward the base, apex relatively thick, with long hairs on the middle and upper parts; column 2.5-2.9 cm long, curved forward, with short hairs at the base of the ventral surface; pollinia 2, nearly triangular.
Fruit
Capsule nearly elliptic, 6-11 cm long, 3-4.5 cm wide.
Flowering period
Flowering period August-December.
Distribution area of Cymbidium iridioides
Produced in southwestern Sichuan, northwestern to southeastern Yunnan, and southeastern Tibet. Grows on trees or rocks in forests or shrub forests, also seen on rock walls, at an altitude of 900--2800 m. Also distributed in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. The type specimen was collected from Nepal.
Cymbidium iridioides pictures