About
A small to medium-sized, evergreen, epiphytic orchid with egg-shaped, slightly flattened pseudobulbs, covered with basal leaf sheaths, carrying five or six, linear leaves up to 50cm long and 1-2cm wide. In spring, upright or arching flowering stems emerge from base of mature pseudobulbs. Each, 15-35cm long stems carries ten to forty, 3-4cm large flowers. Sepals and petals are maroon, often with pale yellowish edge. Lip is small, white with dark red markings and yellow crest in the middle.
About the genus
Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchids with prominent spherical to ovoid pseudobulbs, long linear leaves and fleshy white roots. Several long lasting showy flowers with a distinctive 3-lobed lip are borne on erect or arching flower spikes from the bases of the pseudobulbs
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open, free-draining orchid compost with addition of perlite, sphagnum moss or coir. Requires day temperatures around 16°C and 10°C at night. Provide good light levels, but avoid direct sunlight. Water plants thoroughly when compost is almost dry, allow to drain and use orchid fertiliser regularly during growing season. Reduce watering in winter. Place outside in dappled shade during the summer months to aid flower initiation. See cymbidium cultivation for more detailed information.
PruningNo pruning required. Cut down flowered stems to base.
PropagationPropagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided in early or mid spring, when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older pseudobulbs with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free. Sterilising cutting tools may prevent virus diseases, such as Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CMV).