Cymbidium

The genus Cymbidium includes approximately 50 species that grow in the cold climatic zone of the slopes of the Himalayas. Hybrid forms from the crossing of numerous species, united under the name Cymbidium hybridum hort., are very common and widely used for decorative purposes, almost completely replacing botanical species. Cymbidiums, like other orchids, are characterized by the presence of pseudobulbs, or pseudobulbs, - thickenings of the stem, similar to bulbs, from which peduncles develop about 15 cm high. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, encircle the pseudobulbs at the base. The flowers are quite large, up to 15 cm in diameter and last on the plant for 1-3 months, and in cutting - 10-15 days. Flowers of many varieties and hybrids are fragrant, with a wide range of colors: white, pink, red, yellow, green, chestnut with many semitones and shades. The inner part of the flower - the central leaves of the perianth, turned down, are a wide variety of colors. When crossing hybrid cymbidium with dwarf cymbidium (C. pumilum), a species of Japanese origin, so-called miniature cymbidiums were obtained, and more recently medium-sized cymbidiums were bred from hybrids of medium size.

The genus Cymbidium includes approximately 50 species that grow in the cold climatic zone of the slopes of the Himalayas. Hybrid forms from the crossing of numerous species, united under the name Cymbidium hybridum hort., are very common and widely used for decorative purposes, almost completely replacing botanical species.

Cymbidiums, like other orchids, are characterized by the presence of pseudobulbs, or pseudobulbs, - thickenings of the stem, similar to bulbs, from which peduncles develop about 15 cm high. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, encircle the pseudobulbs at the base. The flowers are quite large, up to 15 cm in diameter and last on the plant for 1-3 months, and in cutting - 10-15 days. Flowers of many varieties and hybrids are fragrant, with a wide range of colors: white, pink, red, yellow, green, chestnut with many semitones and shades. The inner part of the flower - the central leaves of the perianth, turned down, are a wide variety of colors.

When crossing hybrid cymbidium with dwarf cymbidium (C. pumilum), a species of Japanese origin, so-called miniature cymbidiums were obtained, and more recently medium-sized cymbidiums were bred from hybrids of medium size.

Cultivation

Cymbidiums are recommended to be grown in a pot and kept outdoors from May to mid-October, then the plants are placed in a cool and well-lit room (15 °C). Before placing cymbidium for the winter, it must be kept for at least a couple of weeks at a temperature of 12 °C. Otherwise, the flowering will not be plentiful. Cymbidiums in the winter months of this dormant period are not required, they only slow down growth, so you should stop feeding and watering. During the period of active vegetation, a liquid complex should be periodically added to the water for irrigation. fertilizer for orchids.

Location

In summer, while cymbidiums are kept outdoors, they are placed so that the plants get enough diffused light, preferably in the shade of a large tree. Indoors, cymbidiums are placed in a strongly lit place, next to the window, but it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight.

Temperature

Cymbidiums like coolness. The optimal night temperature is 15 °C, and its observance favors the beginning of flowering. For a short time, the plant can tolerate a temperature of 2-3 °C. The maximum permissible temperature is 28 °C.

Watering

In spring, summer and autumn, cymbidiums are watered often and abundantly. In winter, the amount of irrigation is reduced, but the soil should always be moist. To maintain the high humidity required for the plant, it is recommended to spray frequently and constantly moisten the pebbles or expanded clay poured into the tray. But it is important to avoid excessive watering and stagnation of water, which can cause root rot.

Transplant

Cymbidiums are transplanted into a new pot only if it is clearly necessary in the spring, after flowering. It is important to use a soil specially selected for orchids, usually based on osmund fern fibers, moss, bone meal, as well as tree bark, oak leaves and other materials to give greater porosity. It is important that the soil is soft, porous, retains moisture well and at the same time provides reliable drainage, and also has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH value.

Care

For an aesthetic appearance of these orchids, it is enough to remove dry and damaged leaves and cut off withered flowers at a distance of 5-7 cm from the base of the peduncle.

Reproduction

Cymbidiums are propagated by dividing the bush when transplanted into a new pot. The separated part should have three or four green pseudobulbs. Tools used for dividing the bush should be thoroughly disinfected. Old pseudobulbs that can be recognized by the absence of leaves, and secondary ones (i.e., the smallest ones) should be removed.

Diseases

Cymbidiums are particularly sensitive to mites. For prevention during the summer period, periodic dousing of plants with water at room temperature can be useful. And if these pests still appear, they are treated with one of the acaricide preparations, preferably in the evening. Leaf plates, stems and pseudobulbs are susceptible to damage by worms, which cause both direct harm (they suck the sap from plants) and indirect (they secrete a sticky pad on which the rabble develops). From worms, the leaves and stems are wiped with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Then the plant is treated with an anticoccidal agent the drug. Aphids that cause approximately the same harm are eliminated with the help of special preparations against aphids. Cymbidiums are susceptible to viral diseases, which are manifested by yellowish spots, rings and stripes on the leaves. Severely affected plants are discarded. Viral diseases are not treatable, but their appearance can be prevented by fighting ticks, aphids and worms, which are carriers of viruses.

Cymbidiums are particularly sensitive to mites. For prevention during the summer period, periodic dousing of plants with water at room temperature can be useful. And if these pests still appear, they are treated with one of the acaricide preparations, preferably in the evening. Leaf plates, stems and pseudobulbs are susceptible to damage by worms, which cause both direct harm (they suck the sap from plants) and indirect (they secrete a sticky pad on which the rabble develops). From worms, the leaves and stems are wiped with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Then the plant is treated with an anticoccidal agent the drug.

Aphids that cause approximately the same harm are eliminated with the help of special preparations against aphids. Cymbidiums are susceptible to viral diseases, which are manifested by yellowish spots, rings and stripes on the leaves. Severely affected plants are discarded. Viral diseases are not treatable, but their appearance can be prevented by fighting ticks, aphids and worms, which are carriers of viruses.

Acquisition

When buying cymbidium, choose plants with one or two open flowers and thick undamaged foliage, and there should be no spots on the leaves.