Cymbidium orchids thrive in high humidity and require consistent watering throughout the year. Young plants should be watered less frequently, while mature plants need daily watering during winter and early spring. From early summer to late autumn, it's best to water twice a day—once before 8 AM and again before 5 PM. During the growing season, misting the leaves daily helps maintain optimal humidity. For fertilization, use a diluted liquid fertilizer at 0.02% concentration, or apply small pellets made from fermented oil cake mixed with bone powder or superphosphate. These slow-release pellets can be placed on the soil surface. Additionally, apply a 0.1–0.2% compound fertilizer once a week along with watering.
Cymbidium fuliginea requires bright, indirect light. In summer and autumn, use a 50% shade net to protect from intense sunlight. In cloudy weather or during winter and spring, remove the shade net to allow direct light. However, during flowering, place the orchid in a slightly shadier area to encourage vibrant blooms.
Propagation is typically done through ramets. After flowering, when the plant enters a short dormancy, new shoots will emerge. Before separating the ramets, let the roots dry slightly until they are white and soft. Vigorous plants usually produce a ramet every 2–3 years. Each division should include 2–3 pseudobulbs, one of which must have developed the previous year. To prevent infection, dust the cut surfaces with sulfur or activated charcoal. Allow the cuttings to dry for 1–2 days before planting them separately.
After planting, keep the orchid in a semi-shaded area for a few days. Avoid immediate watering; instead, mist the foliage and pot surface if the soil feels dry. Water only after new roots begin to form. Use a well-draining mix consisting of 2 parts fern root and 1 part charcoal, or 1.5–2 cm bark. Adding broken bricks or charcoal improves drainage. Choose pots with a diameter of 15–20 cm, placing 2–4 seedlings per pot. Large-flowered Cymbidiums require more moisture, so ensure regular watering and misting during spring, summer, and autumn.
During the short dormancy period after flowering, reduce watering. Once new shoots develop larger roots, increase watering. Large-flowered varieties need more nutrients, so strengthen fertilization during the growing season. A mixture of fermented cake fertilizer and clay, formed into 2 cm balls, can be used. When watering, ensure thorough saturation without leaving standing water in the pot.
For home cultivation, avoid overly large pots. A 25 cm diameter pot with 3–4 mature orchids is ideal. After two years, you can increase the number of plants to 8–9. Propagation from old pseudobulbs under the pot is common. For larger plants, use pots 30 cm or wider, ensuring a proper drainage layer of at least one-third the pot depth.
In spring, place fertilizer on the pot surface, keeping some distance from the sprouts. Slow-release fertilizer can be applied twice a year, with a few grains per pot, or use fermented liquid manure. Spray NPK fertilizer (3–5%) on the leaves and soil once or twice weekly. Stop fertilizing at the end of autumn.
Cymbidiums prefer temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. They do not tolerate prolonged cold, especially below 10°C. Large-flowered varieties like Cymbidium eucalyptus require more light, except in summer when partial shade (about 30%) is needed to prevent sunburn and promote blooming.
Watering should be consistent, especially during the growing season. Water when the soil dries out, but avoid letting the roots stay too wet. In spring, autumn, and winter, water every 3–4 days, increasing frequency as temperatures rise. In summer, water 2–3 times daily and mist regularly to maintain humidity and prevent leaf yellowing.
Fertilize during the growing season with diluted chemical or compound fertilizers. Applying bone meal with fermented bean cake can enhance flower size. Dilute liquid fertilizer at 1:1000 and apply every 10 days. Avoid fertilizing during flowering and hot summer months.
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