Care for Cymbidium Orchids
boast some of the most dramatic flowers in the orchid
kingdom. Depending on your climate, plant care for cymbidium orchids
vary from easy to somewhat challenging.
are popular in temperate, sub-tropical climates such as
California, where they grow outside year round.
The warm, sunny days and cool nights (40-55 degrees) found in this area
perfect for these plants.
Cymbidiums just aren't suited for growing indoors however. Without lots
sun and cool evening temperatures (40-50 degrees) you'll
get good looking plants but they
bloom. And isn't that why we grow orchids?
Northern climates, the best cymbidiums
are usually grown in greenhouses. Don't have a greenhouse? Don't
worry. Even if you're climate challenged, you can still grow
these orchids. Just remember that plant
care is a little different from other orchids. Not difficult,
How to Grow Cymbidiums
In the spring, move your plants outside for the summer where they get
several hours of direct sun.
them outside until temperatures
the 40 degree range. ( Cold temps trigger blooms.) After a good dose of
cold weather in the fall, bring your plants
You should see flower spikes appear Jan-Feb. Then, enjoy
those magnificent blooms - just when you need them.
returns, move your plants
outside for another growing season.
require lots of light. Without proper light you'll see weak
growth and no flowers. If you can't move your plant outside during the
summer months, these plants are probably not for you.
need several hours of direct morning or afternoon sun.
always a good indicator of proper light. They should be light
green with a tinge of yellow - dark green means not enough light and
your plants won't bloom. Too much sun and the leaves will turn
yellow or bleached white.
Blooming season for
Cymbidiums is late winter - just when you need it!
||Temps: The ideal temperature
range for cymbidiums is in the 40-90 degree
range. They don't make good indoor plants
cool enough at night (and there's not enough sun during the
initiate blooming, keep your plants outside until
drop into the low 40's. You might even see frost - don't worry - these
plants can take it! Damage occurs if temps drop
When it's time to come inside,
plants in sunny window and keep them as cool as possible,
preferably around 55 degrees at night. Too warm and the buds will
turn yellow and drop off.
flowers open (Jan-Feb), plants don't need the cool temps anymore
display them anywhere for show.
for Cymbidiums varies with the season. Outside,
your plants will be actively growing so increase the
watering. This means watering to 1/4 or 1/2 on gauge. Then waiit
until bottom of pot is dry before rewatering.
the fall, when the plants are moved back indoors, cut back on
the watering. Water until the gauge moves - then stop! Don't rewater
until bottom of pot is dry.
blooms have faded, reduce watering even more. Just run water through
the pebbles once a week to keep the plant from dehydrating. Don't allow
standing water at the base. Cymbidiums go dormant for a
month or two so don't expect new growth. This is the best time for
transplanting into larger pots if necessary. It's also the best time to
transfer to hydroponics. See Transplanting
Cymbidiums into Hydroponics.
Nutrition: Nutrition also varies with the season.
their active growing season outside cymbidiums are heavy feeders.
Apply nutrients at full strength every watering. Occasional rain
showers balance the nutrition
program by providing clear water between feedings. We
recommend and use Dyna-Gro Grow
couple of waterings add Dyna-Gro
to the mix to give the
flowering process a boost.
When the plants are
moved indoors in the fall stop all nutrients! This encourages
the bloom cycle to begin. When flower spikes appear, apply Dyna-Gro Bloom Formula.
the last blooms have faded eliminate all nutrients
again until plants are
are excellent candidates for our hydroponic system . The LECA
pebbles never breakdown or decay, insuring a healthy root
system. Because the pebbles are a sterile ceramic, they won't
attract insects while your plant is outside. And you never have to
repot because the media is deteriorating.
The water gauge
makes watering easy through the different seasons. Our system
is clean and easy
use, both inside and outside.
growing Cymbidiums outside, adjustments to our
system are necessary to accomodate the extra water from rain showers
(and watering with a garden hose). Normally,
the decorative outer container acts as a reservoir, storing the
solution. Outside, frequent rain showers tend
to fillup the outer pot, overflowing the system. We replace the
outer pot with a
shallow saucer that is only 1/2 inch deep. When it rains, excess water
overflows the saucer and drains away, keeping the plant from drowning.
Cut a plastic saucer that fits the bottom of the culture pot to about
Depth of saucer matches 1/2 or "Opt" on water gauge
Place shallow saucer in bottom of outer pot. Make sure outer pot has a
drainage hole. (I'm using a piece of styro under saucer for support.)
Place Cymbidium in outer pot
This is what it looks like inside outer pot.
Finished plant. I added rocks on top. Outside, I prefer the weight of
clay pots to keep plants from blowing over in the wind.
Cymbidium - Transplanting to Hydroponics