Many, many flower growers dream replenish its magnificent collection of orchid. The prospect is very tempting, only stops the proverbial flower moodiness and demanding to leave. Meanwhile, even among pampered orchids have very undemanding species that do not require some really quite reverent attitude and gentle care. And the number of such unpretentious home colors include recently became a very popular orchid Cymbidium (Simbidium).
Cymbidium is actually very effective. The lush and colorful flowers - one of the most important benefits of these houseplants. The second plus - non-burdensome care. However, to make this unpretentious blooming orchid at home oh so not easy! What is this flower, how to care for and to achieve flowering? Let's face it.
Features Cymbidium
Note that the Cymbidium orchid called not one single plant. In fact it is a kind of flowers of the orchid family. Homeland these orchids are considered tropical forests of Asia, and they presented more than three hundred species. Cymbidium grow in Japan, and Australia, and in India and in China. And not only in the humid tropics, but also in mountainous areas.
The name of this family received from the Greek concept of «kymbion», which means "like a boat" or "ladepodobny." This name received for Cymbidium flower shape, or rather his lips. It is noteworthy that Cymbidium orchids are the first of which is mentioned in ancient manuscripts. In the botanical treatise times the Chinese Qing Dynasty have healthful recipe decoction of the roots of orchids.
Another distinctive feature of this genus of orchids - strong fragrance of flowers. Some growers say that the smell of Cymbidium, even when not in bloom. It was an unusually strong flavor of these orchids valued in ancient China where they were worth fabulous money, and all the work to develop new varieties aimed at enhancing the flavor. Yes, and in the gardens of Japanese and Chinese emperors Cymbidium grown as fragrant plants. It was a long time before growers appreciated not only flavor, but these orchids and decorative. And in Europe they began to cultivate already as Flowering greenhouse plants.
Unlike other Cymbidium orchids will remain decorative even without the lush colors. This can be due to their long narrow leaves, forming a compact bush, bush-like daffodils and irises. At home and with proper care leaves can be stored up to three years. And in a flourishing condition Cymbidium they look simply amazing - the ability to keep flowers on stalks about ten weeks! Moreover, modern hybrids of these orchids bloom at different times of the year. So what can be considered a cymbidium orchid, blooming all year round.
Types and varieties of Cymbidium
Oddly enough, but the main types of orchids are not determined by colors and shapes of flowers and leaves form.
Cymbidium aloelistny has leathery leaves remnevidnye up to thirty centimeters. Yellow flowers with purple midway in racemes, located on long drooping stalks. Blooms in January-June. Flowering lasts for about a month.
Cymbidium lantsetolistnogo has wide leaves in the form of an ellipse, reaching half-meter length. Small flowers with green petals and white lip dotted with red spots and dots and red stripes on the sides, arranged on short stalks. It blooms continuously from April to October.
Cymbidium mechelistny. The length of the leaves varies from thirty to ninety centimeters, and the inflorescence does not exceed sixty centimeters in length. Small fragrant flowers have green petals with purple spots and a central strip and pale yellow lip middle lobe is colored with purple spots. Blooms in January-April.
Cymbidium Lowe reaches a height of ninety centimeters. Lanceolate leaves are pointed at the ends. Long (up to one meter) thick and curved stems. The large flowers are yellow-green striped petals and a white three-lobed lip with a red spot in the form of the letter V. It blooms from February to July for two months.
Cymbidium Dai. It features a heavy drooping inflorescence and spike. The flowers with cream petals and purple-veined white are strongly curled lip. It blooms from August to December
.
Cymbidium Tracey - the largest orchid of this kind. Remnevidnye leaves reach a length of sixty centimeters. Very fragrant flowers large yellow-green have a lip cream with red spots and wavy edges. Flowers in September and January for two to three weeks.
Miniature Cymbidium different short (twenty centimeters) pointed curved leaves. The flowers are large, with red petals elliptical shape and a three-blade lip. It blooms for two to three weeks in the period from December to March.
Giant Cymbidium - a rare species of this genus. Has keeled leaves sixty centimeters long and large flowers, gathered in a loose dangling inflorescence. Yellow-green petals are colored in purple stripes and creamy lip decorated with bright spots and stripes of red and purple. Blooms for three to four weeks from November to April.
Cymbidium hybrids incredible array. At home, they prefer miniature and dwarf hybrids. Among them are such common varieties: Lilliput, Rose Princess, the Emperor, Red Dwarf, Bride, Kirribilli, Levin and others.
Care Cymbidium
As we have said, we are caring for Cymbidium neobremenitelen. Unlike other orchids they do not need any special conditions. Nevertheless, for the flowering of orchids are necessary though not special, but well-defined conditions.
This light-loving plants. They like good lighting, but can not tolerate direct sun. Therefore, you need to keep them in a bright room, exposing the winter in the most lit place, and in the summer pritenit from sunlight. In winter, do not be amiss and artificial lighting. Choosing a location for these orchids, remember that they are afraid of drafts, but at the same time like to airing.
A prerequisite of these types of orchids flowering is the temperature regime. For example, they need wintering in cool conditions. So in the winter, these orchids need to keep in a bright room where the temperature does not exceed 11 ° C, but does not drop below 8 ° C. The difference between day and night temperatures - as a necessary condition for flowering Cymbidium. In normal daily temperature for orchids active period (April-September) is necessary to maintain the night temperature at 14-15 ° C.
Competent care of the flower implies maintaining the desired moisture content (about 60%). Therefore, plants should be sprayed every day. To this end, next to the flower pot put decorative fountains and aquariums, and during the heating season, put a wet towel on the radiator.
Cymbidium watered soft water at room temperature. Abundant watering these orchids require only during the active period. But in the winter they are watered less frequently, making sure that the land in the pot does not dry up. If the rest period to continue to water the plants in the former regime, the roots will rot from him, and the plant itself will die. However, lack of watering in the winter can also lead to the death of orchids. It is therefore necessary to monitor the state bulbochek - they must not shrink.
In addition to proper watering and competent temperature for flowering Cymbidium need for timely dressing. Fertilize them every ten days, taking only half the dose recommended by the manufacturer of fertilizers. It is best to feed the orchid liquid fertilizers designed especially for these plants.
Care for many house plants involves periodic transplant. But in the case of orchids change it is not necessary for competent care. Transplant them only in extreme cases when the plant is not placed in the old pot. The rest of the time you need to update only the top layer of the substrate and replace it with a new one. And when podsypanii soil and transplanting orchids in no case can not bury bulbs, otherwise they will rot and the plant dies.
Propagation Cymbidium only after flowering. During the multiplication of the most commonly used method of dividing the bush, cutting the rhizome into several parts, each of which must have at least three bulb. Care after the seating of orchid requires a very moderate watering, and as soon as the new shoots, the plants watered as usual.
Unfortunately, proper care is not a guarantee of flowering orchids. To make the Cymbidium bloom, they need to ensure a stressful situation (in vivo). And so stressful for these orchids will drop the temperature at night and during daytime. However, inadequate care also helps budding. So look after your orchid by all the rules, follow the recommendations of a special temperature and wait until this beauty will delight you with its spectacular flowering. And it will happen!
We recommend that read: Orchids: reproduction at home
