Cymbidium, an orchid suitable for beginners

White-flowered cymbidium

Orchids are the plants that produce some of the most spectacular flowers in the plant kingdom. They are so cheerful, so brightly colored, that they seem to have been taken from a fantasy tale. But, in addition to contemplating their beauty, if we can enjoy cultivating them, then better, right? And that is precisely what any beginner can do with the Cymbidium.

Unlike the ones we are used to seeing, this beautiful plant it is able to withstand mild and short-term frosts without suffering any damagewhich makes it a great plant to have in a pot in a sheltered corner of the patio or inside the house.

Cymbidium characteristics

Cymbidium iridioides orchid

Our protagonist is an orchid native to the humid regions of Asia discovered in 1799 by the botanist Olof Swartz known by the common name cymbidium. Their leaves, which sprout from a pseudobulb that remains underground, are present in number of up to eight and can measure between 60 and 90cm in length and between 2 and 3cm in width.

This plant blooms towards the end of winterwhen the cold is giving way to spring weather. The flowers emerge from a flower stalk and remain open for up to ten weeks. These can be of very different colors: white, green, orange, red, yellow,… all except blue and black.

How do you take care of yourself?

Cymbidium hybrid

Now that we know its main characteristics, we are going to see below the care it requires to always stay as beautiful as the first day:

Location

Whether you are indoors or outdoors, it is important that you do not get direct sunlight. It is convenient that it is located in an area that is very well illuminated -by the star king-, but it has to be protected from the sun’s rays.

Irrigation

You need frequent waterings: every two or three days in spring and summer, and slightly less in autumn-winter. If you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water within ten minutes of watering.

To water, use rainwater or lime-free. If you do not have how to get it, dilute the juice of half a lemon in a liter of water, stir and use this water to irrigate.

Substratum

It depends on whether it is terrestrial or epiphytic. To know if it is of one type or another, it will be enough for you to look at what type of soil it has: if it is peat, mulch or similar, it is terrestrial; On the other hand, if it has pine bark it is epiphytic.

As irrigation must be frequent, we recommend a substrate that drains a lot and very well, such as peat mixed with perlite in equal parts if it is terrestrial, or pine bark or even akadama if it is epiphytic.

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From spring to late summer it can be paid with a specific fertilizer for orchids that you will find for sale in any nursery and garden center. Do not forget to follow the instructions specified on the package to avoid the risk of overdose .

Transplant

Needs a pot change every two yearsafter flowering. During the next two weeks do not water so that, in this way, you can overcome it better.

Plagues and diseases

Red spider on leaf

Pests

  • Red spider: they are small mites that settle on the underside of the leaves, on which they feed. It is easy to see the cobwebs they produce. They are eliminated with acaricides.
  • Cochineal: they also feed on the sap of the leaves. They are very small, less than 0,5cm long. They can be removed directly with a swab from the ears soaked in water, or by using an anti-mealybug insecticide.
  • Trips: They are shaped like a black earwig, but much smaller, 1cm or less. On the leaves you can see the insects themselves, as well as black spots that their stools. They can be removed with 48% Chlorpyrifos.

Diseases

It can be attacked by virus that cause necrosis in the leaves. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment, just control the risks and keep it properly fertilized.

Problems

Although it is a fairly resistant and adaptable plant, if it is placed in an area that is too bright, its leaves will turn yellow until they become necrotic due to excess light. If this happens, you must change its location.

Multiplication

You can have new specimens of your own plant if it has been flowering for several years. You just have to extract it from the pot, remove the substrate carefully, and take the pseudobulbs that interest you.. Then plant them in new pots of at least 10,5cm in diameter and water.

Rusticity

It is one of the orchids that best resists cold, and can be grown outdoors in a sheltered place in climates such as the coastal Mediterranean. Its temperature range is 30ºC maximum and 10ºC minimum, but can resist up to -1ºC if it is for a short time and they are occasional frosts.

Cymbidium 'Clarisse Best Pink' in flower

What did you think of this orchid? Interesting, right? It is one of the most recommended for those who do not have much experience in growing plants, since with a little care, you can have it very, very beautiful .

Cymbidium, an orchid suitable for beginners

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