Cymbidium orchids, also known colloquially as Kahn orchids because of their characteristic flower shape, grow up to one meter taller than orchid species cultivated indoors. This plant looks magnificent during its flowering period when it opens its large, colorful flowers. Thanks to the sprawling, long leaves, the indoor orchid is also very attractive when it is not in bloom. However, if you want to cultivate the pretty cymbidium orchids at home, you need precise knowledge of care and location - the different species are not easy to keep.

The Cymbidium comes in many different colors

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. flowering and flowering time
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. substrate
  8. plant and repot
  9. Pour cymbidium
  10. Fertilize Cymbidium properly
  11. Cut cymbidium properly
  12. multiply Cymbidium
  13. diseases and pests
  14. species and varieties

    15. origin and distribution

    The word "kymbos" comes from the Greek and means something like "boat" or "boat" and refers to the boat-like curved flower lips of the orchid genus Cymbidium, which includes around 70 different species. The German name "Kahnorchidee" of this attractive but not entirely uncomplicated room orchid also refers to its characteristically shaped, very large flowers that bloom in numerous colors.

    The cymbidium orchids have their home in the forests of Asia, where they are widespread between North India and Vietnam - some species even grow wild in Australia and Indonesia. Primarily hybrid forms are commercially available, which remain smaller and more compact than the wild species, which can grow up to one meter high. Cymbidium orchids come in many shapes and colors, but are best cultivated in temperate conservatories with plenty of space and light. These orchids are not suitable for the windowsill due to their special requirements in terms of temperature and humidity.

    appearance and growth

    The wild forms of the cymbidium orchids can grow up to a meter high and quite expansive. Some of the hybrids available in this country - these are crosses of different species - reach stately sizes. Note that the flower stalks of the plants can still clearly exceed the specified meter size. Those who do not have that much space, on the other hand, opt for so-called mini cymbidiums, which remain significantly smaller with growth heights of between 15 and 25 centimeters.

    Since all Cymbidium orchids are epiphytes, they only develop short rhizomes. The long, strong shoots sprout from these. In addition, there are bulbous thickenings in the lower area of the plants, which are pseudobulbs. These develop from the rhizomes and are used to store water and nutrients. The tuberous, mostly ovoid to elliptical bulbs should always be covered with suitable orchid soil.

    leaves

    The strong green, narrow leaves usually grow overhanging and can reach a length of up to 100 centimeters depending on the species. The number of leaves also depends on the specific Cymbidium species: Some of these orchids only develop a few leaves, while others develop a large number.

    flowering and flowering time

    Cymbidium orchids typically bloom between November and February and can form up to 35 flowers per plant, each with a diameter of up to 13 centimeters. However, it takes some effort to get these fastidious plants to flower, as they require large differences in temperature between day and night from summer to autumn. In their homeland it is up to 30 °C during the day, but the temperatures drop to around 15 °C at night.

    At home, you would have to replicate these conditions to enjoy the two to three month flowering period. This means: In summer and autumn, keep the temperature as warm as possible at up to 30 °C, while at night it may only be around 15 °C. During the winter flowering period, on the other hand, you should cultivate cymbidium orchids in a cool place at 15 to 18 °C. At the same time, the humidity should be kept high at around 60 to 80%.

    Cymbidium orchids come in a wide variety of colors. The flowers, which are terminally located on the long flower stalks, can be white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, brown or even multicolored. For example, varieties with large, speckled flower colors are particularly pretty.

    toxicity

    The Kahn orchid is considered non-toxic. According to the current state of knowledge, there are no known indications of any intolerance.

    Which location is suitable?

    As typical forest plants protected by a canopy, cymbidium orchids need a bright but not directly sunny location. The blazing midday sun in particular should be avoided at all costs, while morning and/or evening sun is good for the plants. However, the right room temperature is much more important: during the day it can get really warm in summer, but during the night cymbidiums need cool temperatures between eight and a maximum of 15 °C. Cool temperatures are also important during the flowering period, so it is best to overwinter these orchids in an unheated or only slightly heated room.

    Between May and September, cymbidiums also feel very comfortable in the fresh air, provided they are protected from direct sunlight and rain at their location in the garden or on the balcony.

    In contrast to the large-flowered cymbidiums, the mini forms can also be cultivated on the windowsill, provided you lower the temperatures to around ten °C overnight.

    substrate

    Cultivate your Cymbidium orchids in commercially available orchid soil, such as that used for butterfly orchids (Phalaenopsis). Alternatively, you can also use your own mixture of pine or pine bark, sphagnum (do not collect yourself!) and peat.

    Also keep in mind that conventional, pre-fertilized potting soil or potting soil is not suitable for growing orchids. As epiphytes, they have little contact with the soil and would be completely overwhelmed with such a substrate. Instead, the optimal orchid substrate (€8.00) should be loose and coarsely crumbly so that the roots are always well aerated.

    plant and repot

    In contrast to some other orchid species, the fast-growing cymbidiums require rather large but narrow planters. New shoots are constantly growing from the short rhizomes, which is why regular repotting in larger pots and fresh substrate makes sense. You should transplant a Cymbidium orchid about every two years, because by then their tubers will certainly be growing over the edge of the pot. The best time for this is right after flowering. Newly purchased plants should also be given a larger container and fresh substrate as soon as possible.

    Also make sure there is good drainage, as cymbidiums are very sensitive to waterlogging. The plant pot absolutely needs a drainage hole on the bottom of the pot, from which excess water can drain. Cover this with potsherds to protect it from silting up (and thus prevent clogging). For improved permeability, the substrate can also be mixed with expanded clay (€19.73), perlite (€37.51) or similar.

    Pour cymbidium

    You also need a sure instinct when watering the demanding Cymbidium orchids. During the vegetation phase, the plant needs quite a lot of water, but it must not stand wet all the time and should dry out completely between individual waterings. Once the new leaves and bulb-like bulbs have matured, water less. This in turn is important for the formation of the flower buds.

    Keep cymbidiums as humid as possible, especially in summer and for specimens in the garden or on the balcony, you should use an atomizer every day and spray them all over. On the other hand, if the ambient air is too dry, the plants are quickly attacked by spider mites.

    Fertilize Cymbidium properly

    Cymbidiums should be supplied with a liquid orchid fertilizer about once a week, which you administer together with the irrigation water.

    Cut cymbidium properly

    Cymbidium orchids do not need pruning. Only remove faded leaves and wilted leaves and otherwise simply let the plant grow.

    multiply Cymbidium

    Cymbidium orchids can easily be propagated by division if they are of the right size. Specimens that have at least six bulbs are suitable for this. Unpot them, carefully remove the remains of the substrate and separate the desired sections using your fingers and, if necessary, a large, sharp (and clean!) knife. Each section should have at least one shoot and three older bulbs. Then pot the pieces separately in suitable pots and in fresh substrate.

    diseases and pests

    Unfortunately, the beautiful cymbidiums are quite susceptible to pests due to their special care requirements and the associated frequent care mistakes. Spider mites (the so-called "red spider"), for example, appear when the room air is too dry. Leaf suckers such as scale, mealybugs and mealybugs as well as thrips attack damaged houseplants in advance, while ants, centipedes and woodlice often cavort in the plants and especially in the substrate in a summer culture outdoors. In addition, snails also like to eat the juicy, green leaves. Only careful care adapted to the needs of the species and regular checks help against a possible pest plague.

    tips

    Thanks to their long flower stalks and magnificent flowers, Cymbidium orchids are ideal as cut flowers. If you change the water in the vase regularly, the flowers will last up to three weeks. If possible, do not use cold water from the tap, as the orchids are sensitive to lime.

    species and varieties

    Most retailers offer hybrid forms that have been bred specifically for keeping as a houseplant. The original species, on the other hand, are mainly cultivated by knowledgeable specialists and are popular collector's items.

    • 'Clarisse Carlton': dull pink flowers with a white edge and a multicolored speckled center
    • 'Elmwood': cream-colored flowers with a yellow-red center
    • 'Forgotten Fruit': flowering size variety with pink flowers and a darker centre
    • 'Fort George Lewes': one of the loveliest green flowering forms
    • 'Ice': numerous white flowers
    • 'Indian Summer': Meristem variety with dark flowers and mottled center
    • 'Geyserland': blooming size with dark violet, almost black flowers
    • 'Minuet': yellow, brown or green flowers with a spotted center, especially small
    • 'Mud in the Eye': Meristem variety with large, dark red flowers
    • Peter Pan': yellowish-green flowers with a mahogany-red spotted center
    • 'Procyon': Meristem variety with light flowers and dark purple center
    • 'Sakura': Cascade form, numerous pink flowers
    • 'The Joker': large, multicolored flowers with white petals and multicolored center
    • 'Waikanae': large, multicolored flowers of various shades of purple and white

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Vegetable garden