Cymbidium Orchid Plant Care

Cymbidium orchids grow wild in the high altitude areas of Asia and Australia. In these regions, warm days and cool nights encourage blooming of the cymbidium’s flowers. In mild climates where temperatures rarely reach below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cymbidium orchids can be grown outdoors year round if planted in raised beds. In colder climates, cymbidiums will perform well in greenhouses or in containers if brought indoors for the winter.

Temperature and Humidity

• Cymbidiums tolerate temperatures as low as 29 degrees and as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, summer daytime temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees are ideal. In winter, daytime temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees will encourage blooming.

  If growing cymbidium orchids indoors, keep the humidity at 40 percent to 60 percent. Provide air circulation to prevent fungus growth on the flowers. In especially dry climates, cymbidiums may require misting or placement in a greenhouse during summer months. In more humid climates, the orchids will perform well outdoors in the summer.

Light

• Cymbidium orchids require as much filtered sunlight as possible during the spring, summer and fall. In warm summer climates, a high level of light may cause reduced blooming, so additional shade may be necessary. In cooler climates, cymbidiums prefer full sun. The color of the leaves will change depending on the amount of sunlight the plant receives. If the leaves appear dark green in color, as opposed to golden green, the plant requires more light.

Watering and Fertilizing

• Water cymbidiums two to three times per week in the spring and summer, keeping soil evenly moist. Cymbidiums watered with tap water will benefit from heavy watering to promote leaching of harmful salts, which may cause die-back of the leaf tips. If providing purified water, you will not need to water as frequently. In the winter, keep soil barely moist by watering once a week.

  In the spring and summer, apply a slow-release fertilizer to cymbidium orchids. Apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous in the late summer to promote blooming. Fertilize once every two weeks during the spring and summer and reduce fertilizing to once a month in the winter.

Potting

• Choose a pot with a hole in the bottom for drainage and one that is large enough to accommodate the growth of the plant for two years. Moisten a mixture of bark, peat moss and perlite and add a small amount to the bottom of the pot. Spread the roots out and cover only the first third of the bulb with the potting medium, leaving the top of the bulb above the surface of the soil.

  Repot cymbidiums once every two years after spring blooming. Remove any dead roots with sterilized shears. Cut healthy roots back to 3 or 4 inches in length. If desired, divide cymbidium bulbs when repotting. Divide a segment of three to four bulbs by pulling apart the bulbs at a natural division. Cut with a knife if necessary. Keep the newly potted orchids in a shady location for at least two weeks before moving them to a brighter location.