Cymbidium orchids
Delicate, intricate orchids are always on display in the Glasshouse and in April you can see cymbidiums and many other types of orchid at our special exhibition.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Cymbidium orchids
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Height & spread
- Up to 90cm (3ft)
- Form
- Mainly epiphytic
- Soil
- Very free draining orchid compost
- Aspect
- Dappled shade to full sun
- Hardiness
- Requires heated glass
Cymbidium
Originating in temperate and tropical parts of India, Nepal, China, Japan and down to Malaysia and Australia, cymbidiums are probably the most widely grown of all orchids because of their ease of cultivation and long-lasting flowers. From the 40-50 species, thousands of hybrids have been bred, with flowers ranging in colour from white, yellow and orange to pink, red, brown and green, and varying in size from 5-10cm (2-4in) across.
Cymbidiums figure in the earliest historical records of human association with orchids from China and Japan. These include Chinese folk songs composed before the time of Confucius (551-479 BC).
The first written work on orchids was published in China in 1233AD and listed 22 orchids with descriptions. The first systematic description and classification of the genus occurred when Olaf Swartz established it formally in 1799.
Cymbidium orchids
Incredibly no more than seven or eight species have been responsible for 90 per cent of the thousands of Cymbidium hybrids we have today. During the 1930s and 40s many popular hybrids were bred in America, though by 1960 there was a transition to a dominance of British-bred hybrids.
Cymbidium hybrids can be split into three groups, standard hybrids, miniature hybrids and novelty hybrids, which are sometimes called intermediate hybrids.
Standard hybrids grow into large plants and take up a great deal of space. Most flower in late winter and spring for up to two months and are available in almost every colour except blue.
Miniature hybrids have been bred from dwarf species such as C. devonianum and C. tigrinum. While the colour range is limited to green, yellow or brownish flowers, some are pleasantly scented.
Novelty hybrids result from crosses between miniature and standard hybrids and are some of the best modern hybrids available.
The leaves of standard cymbidiums are strap-like, upright or pendulous and 50cm (20in) or more in length, with those of miniature plants being much narrower and shorter.
With careful selection it is possible to have a collection of cymbidiums flowering all year around. Flowers are borne on sturdy stems well clear of the foliage and many will last up to two months either on the plant or as a cut flower.
Cultivation
- Cymbidiums need a heated environment during the winter, though you can place them outside during the summer.
- To initiate flowering many hybrids need a drop in night temperature and an increase in light.
- Cymbidiums must be potted with the base of the pseudobulb at, or just above, the level of a very free-draining potting mix in a well-drained container.
- Divide and repot every two or three years into 20cm (8in) containers.
- During the summer plants may need watering daily but during the winter reduce to once every two weeks.
- Cymbidiums are prone to red spider mites, aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs. Minimise virus diseases by disinfecting tools and equipment.
Propagation
- In addition to regular division you can grow new plants from the older, leafless bulbs. These 'backbulbs' may look dead but they will regrow if they are detached from the younger plants.
- Plant the bulbs into small individual pots filled with a very free-draining compost and keep damp.
- Once good leaf and root growth are evident, pot on into a normal orchid compost.
- Backbulbs will generally flower after three years.