Cymbidium
Cymbidium spp. and hybrids
📖 About this plant
The most cold-tolerant of the commonly grown orchids, Cymbidiums are prized for their long, arching sprays of waxy, long-lasting flowers in shades of white, green, yellow, pink, red, brown, and bronze. Each flower spike can carry 15 or more blooms that last 8-12 weeks. They are among the few orchids that thrive outdoors in mild climates. A favorite for cut flower production and exhibition growing.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright indirect to full sun (4-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate to high (50-70%)
10-25°C
Chunky, well-draining orchid mix of medium bark, perlite, and some loam or peat; terrestrial orchid mix works well; unlike most orchids, they tolerate heavier mixes
Balanced orchid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks during active growth (spring-summer); high-nitrogen feed in spring, switch to low-nitrogen/high-phosphorus in late summer for flower development
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Tropical and subtropical Asia and Australia — from the Himalayas and China through Southeast Asia to northern Australia; some species from East Africa
- 📏 Max height
- 45-90 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Winter - Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Pink, Green, Yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered safe for households with children and animals
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of overcrowded clumps after flowering in spring, keeping at least 3-4 back-bulbs per division; remove dead pseudobulbs
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered safe for households with children and animals
Common issues
- Bud drop from temperature stress, Root rot from waterlogged medium, Spider mites
💡 Care tips
- Boat orchids produce long sprays of large waxy flowers,Requires a cool autumn temperature drop to set flower buds,One of the few orchids that can tolerate near-freezing temperatures,Feed weekly with balanced fertilizer during active growth
