Cymbidium orchids in vivo grow in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Japan. Fragrant elegant flowers have long attracted fans of indoor plants in Russia. With proper care, orchids live for about 7 years, and bloom for several months.
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Orchid cymbidium - description, types and varieties of plants
Most plants that are sold in flower shops are hybrids. Among them, there are gigantic ones: florists even pack such a flower in an elegant box - it can be presented as a gift. There are medium-sized flowers, miniature and ultra-miniature varieties.
The most beautiful are oriental cymbidiums. Gentle coloring and fragrant aroma make such flowers irresistible.
In stores, the most common orchids of these varieties are:
Cymbidium Low
The plant is large, the length of the leaves is 65-70 cm, the flowers have a light green hue.
Cymbidium aloe
Falling peduncles, medium-sized flowers, about 4-5 cm, orange.
Cymbidium lanceolate
Also a small plant, a flower stalk stands straight, its length is 30-40 cm. The flowers have a greenish brown hue.
Cymbidium dwarf
The plant is low, peduncle about 25 cm. The flowers are white,
Read also: succinic acid for orchids
Cymbidium giant
Large flowers, whose diameter reaches 12 cm, have a greenish-brown color. Peduncle height - about 60 cm.
Cymbidium Eburneo
Large flowers reach 12 cm. Petals have a beautiful ivory color.
All of these orchid varieties usually bloom from January to June. The question is often asked: with all the variety of colors - are there cymbidium blue orchids? No, to obtain flowers of this shade, a dye is used.
Features of growing orchids
Orchids have a long flowering period - up to 12 weeks. Selecting different varieties, you can enjoy the beauty of their flowers throughout the year. It is recommended to tie down flowering stalks so that they do not break off.
Orchids are demanding on watering, light and air temperature.
Home Care
Orchid refers to plants that need careful care. A grateful plant will reward you with this long and plentiful flowering.
Soil requirements
Orchid responds well to acidic soil, loves light nutrient soil. Usually, all these requirements are taken into account in special soil mixtures for flowers, which are sold in stores.
If you decide to make the soil yourself, you need to take light compost soil. It is advisable to add pieces of moss, bark to it.
Lighting, humidity and temperature
The orchid loves the light, but the direct rays of the hot summer sun will harm it, especially after watering - burns will appear on the leaves. Therefore, the flower can be kept on the windowsill of the southern window only in the cold season. Then it is better to rearrange it to the western or eastern window. On hot days, the orchid is slightly shaded, but in winter, the capricious beauty may need a daylight lamp.
The orchid loves moisture. If the air in the room is dry, it is better to keep a small sprayer next to the flower and from time to time arrange a shower for him. It is also good to periodically wipe the stiff orchid leaves with a damp cloth.
As for the climate - the most important condition for the proper development and flowering of a plant - is the difference between day and night air temperatures. In summer, the orchid loves that the air in the daytime be warmed up to + 22-25 C, and at night it drops to + 15-16 C. In winter, the day can be + 16-18 C, and at night + 12-14 C.
It is easiest to provide such differences if the plant is from spring to autumn on a loggia or in a garden.
Watering and feeding orchids
Orchids are watered depending on the season. In winter, they do this less frequently: 2-4 times a month, in summer more often, up to 2 times a week. It is advisable that the water in the pan does not stagnate - this can lead to rotting of the roots. And if the soil is wet all the time, mold is likely to appear on it.
They feed the orchid 1-2 times a month. Special fertilizers are sold in stores. It is better to apply them simultaneously with watering.
During the flowering period of orchids, feeding is stopped.
How to transplant?
If you brought an orchid from the store and it feels great, then there is no need to transplant it right away. Usually, a flower that is well looked after, in particular, fertilize the soil, a transplant is required no more than once every 3-4 years. The plant itself can "tell" you what it is time to do - the roots begin to appear above the ground.
The new pot should only be slightly larger than where the orchid was. When choosing the shape of the pot, give preference to height rather than width. Any soil for flowers from those sold in specialized stores is suitable. If you make the soil yourself, remember that it should be light. To achieve this, it is possible, for example, to add polystyrene crumbs to the soil mixture.
Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot - small pebbles, charcoal, scraps of bark.
The orchid is extracted from the old pot, trying not to injure the fleshy roots, which easily break. At the same time, the root system is inspected, if necessary, the decayed parts are removed. After transplanting, the soil in the new pot is slightly compacted. Watering the plant is better after a couple of days.
Reproduction of the Cymbidium orchid
An orchid can be propagated by dividing the plant into parts.To do this, remove the flower from the pot and examine the root system. Rotten or dried roots are removed. Then the plant is cut into several parts with a sharp knife. On each part there should be roots and a pseudobulb.
After this, the sections are sprinkled with charcoal and plants are planted in flower pots. For rooting to succeed, sufficient watering is required. And it is better to keep orchids in partial shade.
Plant diseases and pests and control methods
If spots on the leaves and stems of a plant appear that have a gray color, this is rot. Leave a diseased orchid unattended. Damaged areas are cut off, the flower is treated with fungicides.
In the case of pests, such as aphids or spider mites, the orchid is separated from other plants and placed in quarantine. The leaves are wiped with wet wipes and then treated with insecticides.
Another disease is called "mosaic". Leaves and flowers in this case are smaller and deformed. Such a plant can no longer be helped, it is destroyed.
What to do if Cymbidium does not bloom, dries or turns yellow?
Your capricious beauty does not want to please you with flowers. What could be the reason and what to do in this case?
- often flowering need just wait - the color bulbs have not yet ripened. The time will come - and flowers will appear on the orchid;
- You can help the plant "gain color" by increasing the acidity of the soil with the help of fertilizers such as Kislinka.
- you also need to provide the orchid with more contrasting temperature differences.
Cymbidium orchid is one of the most beautiful indoor flowers. With proper care, its fragrant delicate flowers will delight you for several months a year.
