How to grow Cymbidium orchids? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions

Selection of growing medium and pot

It is best to choose a tall cylindrical pot with many holes in the bottom and on all four sides. The growing medium should be bark chunks or fern roots with good air permeability and drainage. Charcoal, ceramsite and similar materials should be added to the lower part of the pot to help with drainage.

Fertilizing and watering

After division and planting, do not water immediately. If the plant looks dry, spray water on the leaves and the surface of the pot to prevent the leaves from drying out and falling off and the pseudobulbs from shrinking. Water only after new shoots and new roots have grown. During cultivation, watering should depend on the weather and the wet or dry condition of the plant. During the vigorous growth period, supply sufficient water to the roots. In dry and hot seasons, water promptly. When winter temperatures are lower, the frequency of watering can be reduced. The pH of the water used for watering is best at 6.5. Cymbidium orchids are relatively fond of fertilizer. After new shoots grow in spring, apply a compound fertilizer dominated by nitrogen at a concentration of 0.1%-0.2%, once a week, or use diluted decomposed cake fertilizer water. During the bud development stage, apply quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in advance.

1. Soil

When growing Cymbidium orchids, the choice of soil is very important. They like loose, breathable soil with good drainage. Normally, leaf mold can be used to grow Cymbidium orchids, or moss, charcoal crumbs and bark chunks can be used to mix potting soil. Ordinary potting soil cannot be used because its aeration and drainage are relatively poor, and after planting it will cause the roots of the Cymbidium orchid to rot.

2. Water

Only with reasonable watering can Cymbidium orchids grow normally when cultivated. This plant likes air with high temperatures and high humidity. In spring, summer and autumn, the roots should be given sufficient water, and the leaves should also be sprayed promptly. However, after blooming in early spring, Cymbidium orchids enter a brief dormant period, during which the water supply must be reduced. Only after the new shoots have grown larger can more water be given.

3. Sunlight

Cymbidium orchid is a sun-loving plant that likes to grow in an environment with sufficient sunlight, but it cannot tolerate strong direct light. It is best to place it in an environment with plenty of scattered light. However, after it enters the flowering stage, Cymbidium orchids should be placed in a location with weaker light, so that the flowers they produce will be more brilliant.

When growing Cymbidium orchids, be sure to prevent pests and diseases. When diseases such as leaf spot and gray mold occur, promptly spray carbendazim. When pests occur, promptly catch them by hand or spray pesticide. In addition, when growing Cymbidium orchids, also pay attention to pruning. Its pseudobulbs generally contain more than four leaf buds. In order not to disperse nutrients, the small shoots that grow from them must be completely removed.

Cultivation methods and precautions for Cymbidium orchids

Cultivation methods and precautions for Cymbidium orchids

Introduction:

Cymbidium orchid, also called Ximubilan and cicada orchid. It is a plant of the orchid family, genus Cymbidium. It refers to some large-flowered species in the genus Cymbidium (Cymbidium) native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and southern China, and other regions, which are strongly epiphytic, as well as artificial hybrids obtained mainly using these original species as parents. Cymbidium orchid is a general term for varieties in the genus Cymbidium that have been bred through artificial hybridization and have brilliant colors and large flowers. There are about 48 species in the genus Cymbidium. At present, nearly 20 original species are used as hybridization parents, mainly large-flowered epiphytic types and a small number of terrestrial types.

How to grow Cymbidium orchids

Cymbidium orchid is not a species belonging to natural products, but was produced by artificial hybridization. It first appeared in Britain in 1889, then spread to Europe, America and other places, and swept the foreign flower market. At present, Cymbidium orchid has become the category with the most varieties among orchids, with nearly 20,000 cultivated varieties.

The tissue culture period of Cymbidium orchids is relatively long, reaching about 3 years. When the tissue-cultured seedlings undergo flower bud differentiation, it means they have entered the growth period, that is, normal flowering growth. During the reproductive growth stage, the lateral buds of the Cymbidium orchid gradually develop into flower buds, and then the flower scapes are produced. Generally speaking, the formation of flower buds occurs on the pseudobulbs formed by new shoots, and basically each pseudobulb can form 1-2 flower buds.

After the flower buds form, in order for them to bloom normally and for the flower branches to be beautiful, the surrounding temperature needs to be controlled. If the temperature is outside its normal growth range, its elongation growth will be inhibited, which is not conducive to normal flowering. The optimal growth temperature range for Cymbidium orchids is 10-25°C. The temperature must also be controlled at night and must not be too cold; around 10°C is suitable. Especially during the flowering period, the temperature must be strictly controlled. If you need to intervene in its flowering period to make it bloom longer, you can also maintain the temperature at 5-15°C during the flowering period, which can extend the flowering period by one season.

Cultivation methods for Cymbidium orchids:

Propagation methods for Cymbidium orchids:

Propagation of Cymbidium orchids usually uses division propagation. This method is not only simple, but also has a relatively high success rate. Division of Cymbidium orchids is best carried out during the dormant period after the plant's flowering period, when the flowers do not need too many nutrients and the new shoots have not yet grown large, making it more suitable for division. Before dividing Cymbidium orchids, several steps are needed. First, dry them appropriately for a period of time so that their roots turn white and soft. Then select orchid seedlings with 2-3 pseudobulbs for cutting and division. Sulfur powder or charcoal powder can be applied to the cut wounds to prevent infection. After cutting, let them dry for 1-2 days before potting, and they can grow into new plants. Generally speaking, healthy plants can only be divided once every 2-3 years, and this should not be done too frequently. New plants also cannot be watered immediately, but water can be sprayed on the leaves to prevent the leaves from drying out and falling off.

Cultivation methods and precautions for Cymbidium orchids

Cymbidium orchids like strong light and cool, high-humidity environments. When growing them indoors, pay attention to temperature control and care. The key points to note in cultivating Cymbidium orchids are as follows.

1. Fertilizing: The fertilizer composition and content for Cymbidium orchids differ between the growth period and the forcing period, and cannot be treated the same. During the growth period, apply fertilizer mixed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in equal proportions, while during the forcing period, appropriately increase the content of phosphorus and potassium, generally in a ratio of 1:2:2. The pH of the fertilizer must also be strictly controlled, generally between 5.8-6.2. If the object of fertilization is small seedlings, the fertilizer concentration should be controlled at 3500 to 4000 times dilution. For medium and large seedlings, the concentration should be lowered, about 2000-3500 times dilution. Except in summer, fertilize generally once every three days. In summer, when temperatures are high, keep it to 1-2 times a month.

2. Organic fertilizer: If the plant is in the tissue culture period, apply organic fertilizer once a month. Its composition is soybean cake and bone meal mixed in a ratio of 2:1 during the growth period.

3. Watering: Watering and fertilizing are generally used alternately. In May and September, water generally once a day. In the high-temperature summer months of July-August, water twice a day. After autumn begins and the flowering period is entered, watering once every 2-3 days is sufficient.

Flowering period of Cymbidium orchids:

The flowering period of Cymbidium orchids generally begins in October and lasts until April of the following year. This is its natural flowering period. However, in order to achieve the effect of longer blooming, many people now choose to use artificial intervention in the flowering period. During the flowering period of Cymbidium orchids, strict management and care are required.

For example, with regard to light, the pot should be rotated frequently so that the plant's leaves can receive even light and will not grow crooked. During its flowering period, care should be taken to avoid long periods of light exposure, to prevent the flower color from fading, and this can also extend the flowering period.

During the flowering period of Cymbidium orchids, they are very sensitive to moisture wetness and dryness, so controlling humidity is a relatively difficult matter. If it is too dry, the rhizomes will shrink and the flowers cannot grow normally. Conversely, the roots will also rot due to lack of oxygen from too much water, which can easily cause pests and diseases. During its flowering period, keep it mainly moist and strictly control water. It is best to use spraying to keep the leaves clean and moist, but note that it must not be sprayed on the flowers, only on the leaves.

During the flowering period, its demand for nutrients is relatively high, especially elements such as phosphorus and potassium, which are most needed for flowering. Therefore, fertilizer should be supplemented frequently. Generally, a 0.1%-0.2% monopotassium phosphate water-soluble solution can be applied monthly. In order to prevent nutrients from being too dispersed, flower pruning should also be carried out, cutting off some spent flowers to promote the growth of other normal flowers and avoid nutrient consumption.

Flower language of Cymbidium orchids:

Cymbidium orchid is also known as tiger-head orchid, and has different alternative names in different countries. For example, in Japan, people call it "East Asian orchid", and in Europe and America it is called "new beauty orchid". The flower posture of Cymbidium orchids is rough and bold, combining the elegance of Chinese orchids and the brilliance of foreign orchids. Its flower language is abundance and peace, nobility and grace.

Price of Cymbidium orchids:

The price of Cymbidium orchids changes every year according to the market. Generally during holidays, the price of the flowers rises accordingly. It also needs to be divided according to quality. Generally speaking, the wholesale price of top-grade Cymbidium orchids with more than 4 stems is 150-200 per pot. In flower shops in various places, it will rise somewhat. Mid-range ones with 3-4 stems are around 100-150, and the lowest-grade Cymbidium orchids are priced below 100 yuan.