The genus Cymbidium includes 52 botanical species, with persistent leaves, belonging to the Orchidaceae family. The name of the genus comes from the Latin word for boat (cymba).

From a morpho-physiological point of view, the species of the Cymbidium genus are herbaceous, perennial, but form annual branches. There are known species that occupy cortical stations (on the bark of trees), in scum, in humus, or terric species (that grow on the ground). In general, new root growths appear on young plants, their development for old bulbs being a rarer event. The stem of Cymbidium species is short, and connects the pseudobulbs, which actually represent thickened ramifications of the stem. When separating the old pseudobulbs from the main specimen, the phenomenon of the development of new branching growths may appear and, in this way, the regeneration of a new plant. Due to the multidirectional growth of the stem (a pseudorhizome, in this case), species of the genus Cymbidium are considered sympodial (as opposed to monopodial, unidirectional growth, as in the case of the species of the genera Vanda and Phalaenopsis, among the best known).

The pseudobulbs are frequently spherical or ovoid in shape, with a diameter varying from 1 cm to 15 cm, being frequently covered by the basal area of ​​the leaves. The appearance of the leaves can be divided into two forms: scaly, when they are attached to a segment of the rhizome, and actual leaves, when they are inserted on the pseudobulb. Normally, the leaves have a petiole, which is noticeably smaller in shape, but structurally obvious, due to the presence of a demarcation zone. After the leaves fall, the petioles remain attached to the pseudobulbs. The petiole is not present in all species.

Depending on the species, the shape of the leaf can present significant differences, with the central vein prominent or immersed in the leaf surface. The color of the leaf varies from yellowish green to dark green, and the abundance of foliage and the thickness of the leaves are also subject to consistent variability. In the case of species that populate regions with strong light intensity, the leaves have a reduced width but a greater thickness, compared to species that show a preference for more shaded areas. The tip of the leaves is usually acute, the width varies between 0.5 and 6 cm, and the length of the leaves is usually included in the range of 10-150 cm.

The flower stalks emerge from the base of the pseudobulbs. As a rule, each pseudobulb blooms only once during its lifetime.

The genus Cymbidium was identified in nature by orchid hunters towards the beginning of the 19th century, in the Asian jungles, the specimens collected were later transported and planted in Europe. These initial wild varieties represented the genetic material on account of which most of the crossbreeds later present in commerce were produced. The purpose of these hybridizations was to create varieties with high economic and aesthetic value, with abundant blooms, large, durable flowers, and with special colors. For this reason, European cymbidium hybrids have exceptional sizes, compared to specimens grown in the rest of the world.

The first Cymbidium hybrid appeared in 1889 - Cymbidium eburne x lowianum. In the following 20 years, only 14 new species were discovered, but they were not of horticultural interest. Later, however, in the first decade of the 20th century, numerous other species were discovered in Burma and Indochina, especially in Cambodia. Species such as parishii, insigne and erythrostylum thus played an important role in the creation of new spectacular hybrids. Species such as hookerianum and lowianum were the basis for the production of hybrids with green flowers, eburneum and insigne created white and pink hybrids, traceyanum generated yellow varieties, ansonii, red and pink flowers, and parishii gave birth to specimens with red labellum , as is the case with Cymbidium Miretta.

HG Alexander, famous Cymbidium breeder, produced the Cym hybrid at the beginning of the current century. Alexanderi Westonbirt (eburneolowianum x insigne), taxon with inestimable value for the subsequent creation of new varieties of hybrids with white, pink, yellow, green flowers, with flowering especially in autumn and during winter. Cymbidium Pauwelsii (insigne x lowianum) was the first cross to produce large flowers, like Cymbidium Babylon (Olympus x Pauwelsii), which, in turn, was used to create new varieties with vibrant colors.

From the point of view of size, the species of the genus Cymbidium are divided into two groups: standard and miniature , although recently crosses between the two ports have been made. Taxa with pendulous inflorescences were made using species such as devonianum and aloifolium .

The optimal growth temperature for Cymbidium species implies the existence of a significant difference between day and night temperatures. The temperature during the day will have to be in the range of 27-32 ℃, and the night temperature, between 10-15 ℃. As a basic rule, it is necessary to provide a temperature difference of 13-16 ℃, at least in some periods of the year, to ensure the success of flowering.

Ideally, in the cold season, Cymbidium will be placed in very bright rooms with temperatures of 10-18 degrees. The plants can also be grown outside, as long as the temperatures do not drop below 3-10 degrees (depending on the species/hybrid) and adequate humidity conditions can be ensured.

The ideal temperature during the flowering period will also be between 10-18 degrees, the persistence of the flowers being directly influenced:

• 10-12 ℃ - flowers last approx. 12 weeks
• 21 ℃ - the flowers last a maximum of 3 weeks

Cymbidium orchids in production greenhouses

Cymbidium species require abundant lighting , but the light will have to be partially filtered to prevent sunburn on the leaves. Strong lighting will facilitate flowering, which will be more abundant and with a more intense color, and its lack will produce flowers with pale colors. Although in the presence of adequate lighting, Cymbidium orchids do not require fertilization, however, the periodic administration of a fertilizer will lead to obtaining more abundant blooms.

The humidity required for most Cymbidium species must fall within the range of 40-70%, depending on the requirements of each species. At the same time, in the warm season, it is recommended to spray with water in the morning or in the afternoon, to increase the humidity.

Irrigation of Cymbidium orchids will usually be carried out once a week, but in the warm season the recommended frequency is once every 2-3 days, depending on the local climatic parameters (relative atmospheric humidity, lighting, temperature, ventilation). Abundant irrigations are recommended during the growing season (avoiding a prolonged stagnation of water), but these will be reduced once the development of new growth is completed, without allowing the substrate to dry completely.

Fertilization of Cymbidium species will be carried out with a 30-10-10 formula during the growing season, at no more than 25% of the concentration recommended by the manufacturer on the package. At the end of August and the beginning of September, you will opt for the use of a fertilizer of type 6 - 30 - 30 or 10 - 52 - 10, until the end of November, when fertilization will be completely stopped, only water will be administered. Administration of fertilizer after November can lead to the abortion of flowers or the development of deformities .

The substrate change for Cymbidium species will be carried out at intervals of 2-3 years, or even 4-5 years, if the specimens are planted in coconut fiber substrate. If the plant no longer fits in the pot or root system problems are observed, the plant can be moved.

Prior to replanting and/or dividing the plants, the substrate will be left hydrated for several hours, in water. Under no circumstances will universal humic substrate or peat be used, as they will cause rapid rotting of the roots. After the flowers wither, they will be removed, as their fall and decomposition in the culture medium will lead to the weakening of the plants. Equally, towards the end of flowering, when only 2-3 flowers persist on the flower stem, it is recommended to cut and remove it, in order not to uselessly consume the energy resources of the pseudobulbs, an aspect that will significantly negatively affect the flowering of the following season. The moment of completion of flowering is the most suitable for dividing or changing the substrate/culture container, as well as for cleaning the roots that show signs of fungal or bacterial diseases. When dividing, it is recommended to keep groups of 3-5 pseudobulbs, which will be carefully washed, left to dry, and then stored in tied plastic bags and kept in cool places. When choosing culture containers, we recommend tall pots that can ensure a suitable stability for the plant and the necessary space for growth for at least 2-3 years. The old pseudobulbs will be located near the edge of the container, to allow new growth to develop in the opposite direction.

The complete offer of Cymbidium from Secret Garden is available here (link).

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