About
Cymbidium Kings Loch gx 'Cooksbridge' is a robust orchid hybrid that maintains its foliage year-round. This plant forms a cluster of egg-shaped pseudobulbs, with each bulb supporting six to eight linear leaves that are mid to dark green and have a leathery texture. Each leaf measures around 60 cm in length and 2 cm in width. During the winter and early spring, arching flower spikes emerge from the base of the newly matured pseudobulbs, each bearing up to ten waxy flowers, each measuring about 8 cm across. The blooms feature a green base with a white lip and dark maroon markings. Their long-lasting nature makes them a preferred choice among florists.
About the genus
Cymbidium species are orchids that can grow as epiphytes, lithophytes, or terrestrial plants. They feature noticeable spherical to ovoid pseudobulbs, elongated linear leaves, and thick white roots. These orchids produce multiple long-lasting flowers, characterized by a unique three-lobed lip, which emerge from erect or arching spikes at the base of the pseudobulbs.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Toxicity
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow 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
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Cut down flowered stems to base
- Propagation
- Propagation 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 resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free. Sterilising cutting tools may prevent virus diseases, such as Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CMV)