Cymbidium
The easiest orchid to reflower in a cool house: bright summers outdoors and cool autumn nights are what trigger the spikes.
Care
Bright light; summer outdoors in light shade, then a bright, cool room.
Medium — water freely in summer, less in winter, but never let it dry out completely.
Coarse, free-draining orchid compost for cymbidiums, with bark and grit.
Cut spent flower spikes at the base; remove old leafless back-bulbs only when dividing.
High-nitrogen orchid feed through spring and early summer for growth, then a high-potash feed from late summer to build flower spikes.
Divide when repotting after flowering, keeping at least three pseudobulbs with leaves per piece. Old leafless back-bulbs can be potted up to shoot again.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilRepot or divide after flowering when the pot is crowded. how ›
- JuneMove outdoors to a sheltered, lightly shaded spot for the summer. how ›
- SeptemberBring in before the first frost, into a bright, cool room. how ›
- DecemberSupport developing flower spikes with a cane. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilRepot or divide after flowering when the pot is crowded. how ›
- MayMove outdoors to a sheltered, lightly shaded spot for the summer. how ›
- SeptemberBring in before the first frost, into a bright, cool room. how ›
- DecemberSupport developing flower spikes with a cane. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot or divide after flowering when the pot is crowded. how ›
- MayMove outdoors to a sheltered, lightly shaded spot for the summer. how ›
- OctoberBring in before the first frost, into a bright, cool room. how ›
- DecemberSupport developing flower spikes with a cane. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRepot or divide after flowering when the pot is crowded. how ›
- AprilMove outdoors to a sheltered, lightly shaded spot for the summer. how ›
- OctoberBring in before the first frost, into a bright, cool room. how ›
- DecemberSupport developing flower spikes with a cane. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Healthy leaves, no spikes.
What to do. Not enough light or no cool nights in late summer; summer it outdoors and keep it cool indoors.
How to spot it. Buds fall before opening.
What to do. Too warm or too dry indoors; keep below about 18°C while in bud.
How to spot it. Pale speckling on leaves and fine webbing.
What to do. Mist and raise humidity; wipe leaves.
Questions
Cymbidium: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — grown in pots so it can move out in summer and in for winter.
Cymbidium: when do you prune it?
Cut spent flower spikes at the base; remove old leafless back-bulbs only when dividing.
Cymbidium: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in December–April.
When do you feed it?
High-nitrogen orchid feed through spring and early summer for growth, then a high-potash feed from late summer to build flower spikes. Feeding months, UK: April–September.