Cymbidium Cultivation Methods and Propagation Techniques

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1. Substrate requirements for growing Cymbidium

Cymbidium can use fern roots, peat, moss, bark, charcoal chunks, crushed brick pieces, etc. as cultivation substrate.



2. Potting and repotting methods for growing Cymbidium

As a general rule, when the plant becomes too large, it should be repotted or divided and potted to promote growth and flowering. Potting or repotting is best done after flowering or in early spring when new shoots have just sprouted. Repotting method: Take the plant out of the old pot, cut off rotten roots and yellow leaves, and clear away the old substrate; place a layer of broken tiles or crushed bricks at the bottom of the new pot to facilitate drainage and aeration; place the plant into the pot, fill in new substrate, press down with your hands, and water thoroughly.

3. Watering methods for growing Cymbidium

Cymbidium is a flower that needs a lot of water, especially in summer, when not only should the watering amount be sufficient, but water should also be sprayed on the leaves to lower the temperature and raise humidity. The swollen pseudobulbs of Cymbidium have a water-storing function, so it has a certain degree of drought tolerance. However, if watering is insufficient, the swollen pseudobulbs will shrivel and normal growth will be affected. In addition, watering should be reduced during the flowering period, otherwise brown spots will appear on the flowers.

4. Fertilization methods for growing Cymbidium

During the vigorous growth period, a diluted liquid fertilizer should be applied once about every 10 days; during the seedling stage and low-temperature seasons, organic fertilizer should be applied sparingly or not at all, and a compound fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 7:6:19 can be used for foliar spraying. Cymbidium needs a lot of fertilizer. If nutrients are insufficient, the leaves will yellow and fall off, and the flowers will become smaller. Therefore, fertilization should be strengthened. In spring and summer, fertilize once every 5-7 days; in autumn, fertilize once every 10-15 days; in winter, fertilization can be stopped. During the spring and summer growing season, apply a standard fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium diluted 1000 times as a top dressing; in autumn, use more potassium fertilizer, and spray monopotassium phosphate diluted 800-1000 times on the leaves.



5. Pest and disease control for growing Cymbidium

The main diseases of Cymbidium include leaf blight, anthracnose, soft rot, and leaf spot, which can be controlled with 50% captan at 500 times dilution or 50% carbendazim at 500 times dilution; soft rot and leaf spot can also be controlled by spraying thiophanate or chlorothalonil at 500 times dilution once a month. The main pests include aphids, red spider mites, scale insects, etc. Sumithion and omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution each can be used to control aphids, and dicofol or dichlorvos at 800-1000 times dilution can be used to control red spider mites, spraying once every 15 days.

6. Temperature requirements for growing Cymbidium

Cymbidium prefers a warm, cool, moist, and semi-shaded environment. The suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C. Below 10°C or above 35°C, it enters a dormant state. The overwintering temperature should preferably not be lower than 10°C. For most varieties, when the day-night temperature difference is below 10-15°C, flower bud differentiation can proceed smoothly.

7. Precautions for growing Cymbidium

(1) Compared with other orchids, Cymbidium prefers more light, but cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. Small seedlings need 70%-80% shading, large seedlings 60%, spring and autumn should have 40%-50% shading, summer 60% shading, and after late autumn it should receive more light to facilitate flower bud differentiation and bud formation and flowering. Cymbidium growth requires relatively high air humidity and sufficient water. The suitable relative air humidity for small seedling growth is 80%, and the water pH should preferably be pH 5.4-6; during the peak growth season, keep the substrate moist and frequently spray water on the plant and roots to maintain air humidity, which is beneficial for growth and development; after flowering there is a dormant period, so water less.

(2) Cymbidium is the most fertilizer-loving among all orchids. The flower bud differentiation period of Cymbidium is in August-September. At this time, there must be an obvious temperature difference to promote flower bud differentiation, that is, around 25°C during the day and around 12-15°C at night. If the nighttime temperature exceeds 15°C when flower buds are sprouting, the flower buds will wither. Good ventilation is a favorable condition affecting the growth and development of Cymbidium. If ventilation is poor, especially in summer, it is not conducive to the normal growth and development of Cymbidium, affects flower bud differentiation, and results in the phenomenon of only growing leaves without flowering.


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8. Four-season management for growing Cymbidium

(1) Spring management

In spring, as temperatures begin to rise, ventilation should be strengthened as much as possible so that plants still in bloom are kept in a cooler environment. Because spring temperatures vary greatly, do not rush to move them outdoors; this protects and promotes the growth of new shoots. Wait until there is sufficient light before moving them outdoors for cultivation. Water once a day, but for flowering plants it is enough to keep the potting soil moist. Fertilize once every 10-15 days. Spring is a great time for repotting or division propagation after flowering, so it should be done promptly. To reduce nutrient consumption, flower stems should be cut off immediately after the flowers fade, otherwise the growth of new shoots will be affected.

(2) Summer management

Summer is the initial stage of flower bud differentiation in Cymbidium. Because high temperatures are not conducive to flower bud differentiation, attention should be paid to cooling to promote flower bud differentiation. Keeping the temperature below 28°C in summer is beneficial for growth. Because summer sunlight is intense, 30% shading should be applied to protect the leaves from sunburn. Water twice a day; if it is hot and dry, spray water on the leaves. Before July, apply liquid fertilizer once about every 15 days. Adding solid compound fertilizer once a month can help the growth of new shoots, and spraying insecticide and fungicide once a month can effectively prevent and control pests and diseases.

(3) Autumn management

In autumn, the temperature difference begins to increase. From October onward, plants should be moved indoors for cultivation to prevent low nighttime temperatures from slowing plant growth. At this time, full sunlight should be provided to increase the accumulation of nutrients. As the weather gradually turns cold in autumn, water generally once every 1-2 days, keeping the substrate as moist as possible to protect newly developing flower buds. During flower bud growth, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote plump and strong flower buds.

(4) Winter management

This period is when Cymbidium begins to flower. Be careful that the nighttime temperature does not exceed 20°C, otherwise flower buds will drop. In winter, let it receive full sunlight to make the plant sturdy. In winter, water once every 3-4 days, and maintain humidity at 60%-70%. Be careful to control snails that eat flowers. Fertilization should be stopped during the flowering period.

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9. Propagation methods for growing Cymbidium

Cymbidium can generally be propagated by division. When new shoots begin to sprout in spring is the suitable time for division. The new plants after division should have more than 3 pseudobulbs. After cutting apart, wait for the wounds to dry before potting. Normal plants can be divided once every 3 years. The cutting tools should be sterilized when dividing to avoid viral infection. After division, place them in a warm and humid environment. After new shoots emerge from the soil surface, manage them according to normal methods.