Cymbidium Orchids (Boat Orchids) Indoor Care and Propagation guide for Beginners
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Cymbidium Orchids (Boat Orchids) are beginner-friendly orchids which bloom in bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, orchid soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Cymbidium Orchids are among the popular orchids with large, waxy, long-lasting flowers arranged on an unbranched flowering stem which arises from the base of the pseudobulb.
The lip (lowermost petal) is significantly different from the other petals and sepals and has three lobes and a spotted center. The shape of the lip gives this orchids their common name, 'Boat Orchids'.
Boat Orchids are prolific bloomers; with several flower spikes bearing up to 100 blooms per season. Some species have thin stems but in most species the stems are modified to pseudobulbs. Where leaves are present, there are 3-12 light-green leaves arranged in two ranks and they last for several years.
The genus name Cymbidium is derived from the Latin name Cymba meaning "cup", "bowl" or "boat" in reference to the shape of the lip (lowest lower petal).
Botanical name: Cymbidium
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Cymbidiinae
Common name: Boat Orchids
Origin
Cymbidium is a genus of orchids occurring in the wild from tropical to subtropical Asia and Australia.
Toxicity
Cymbidium Orchids (Boat Orchids) are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are safe to grow indoors.
Varieties
Many cultivars have been developed like the Miniature Cymbidium which is regarded as the beginner's orchid. Cymbidium Orchids flowers are available in red, white, pink, yellow and green.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to acquire Boat Orchids? They are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Cymbidium Orchid Care Indoors
Cymbidium Orchids (Boat Orchids) flourishes in bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day, average warmth of 15-290C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, orchid potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Boat Orchids require timely pruning to keep them neat and tidy and also encourage flowering. Repotting is only required when they become extremely pot-bound as they bloom best when root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Cymbidium Orchid grows best in bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day. Keep it away from direct sunshine to avoid sun scorch on the leaves.
A Boat Orchid that is receiving the right amount of light has light yellow-green upright leaves. Dark green leaves indicate that the orchid needs more light. Yellow (more yellow than green) leaves means the orchid is receiving too much light.
Cymbidium Orchid can be grown under grow lights where natural light is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the orchid gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and avoid lopsided growth.
Watering
Water Cymbidium Orchid thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top half of the potting medium to dry out between waterings to keep it moderately moist.
Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the medium to dry out completely.
To take the guesswork out of watering, check the roots. Whitish-green and plump roots indicate that the orchid is well hydrated. Whitish, thin roots indicate the orchid needs to be watered.
Use tepid, chlorine-free water as Boat Orchids are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Avoid wetting the foliage as it can lead to fungal diseases.
Cymbidium Orchids like Cattleya (Corsage) Orchids are more tolerant of dry soil conditions due to the presence of pseudobulbs and their thick leaves. As such take care not to overwater it as it may begin to rot.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperatures for growing Cymbidium Orchid are between 15-290C. Temperatures that are comfortable for you are ideal for this orchid.
Warmer days and cooler night temperatures with a difference of 10-150C are ideal for this orchid. The cool nights are essential to trigger flowering.
Keep the orchid away from drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature. Ensure that there is good air circulation for the orchid as it cannot tolerate hot and stuffy conditions.
Moderate humidity of 50-60% is ideal for Cymbidium Orchids. Where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Learn more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Do not mist the leaves as it can lead to fungal diseases. Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth.
Potting Medium
The best potting medium for Cymbidium Orchid should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining comprising of bark soil. This is important to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most orchid potting mixes are ideal for this orchid.
Fertilizer
Feed Cymbidium Orchids every 2 weeks during the growing season with an orchid's fertilizer as per the manufacturer's instructions for lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Do not feed an orchid that is in flower.
It is better to err on the side of underfeeding than overfeeding as overfeeding may result in loss of roots thus death of the orchid. If you overfeed a Boat Orchid, it can also lead to vegetative growth instead of flower production.
Repotting
Cymbidium Orchids bloom best when pot-bound. Repot it only when growth begins to suffer; when the orchid has outgrown its pot and the new growth reaches out over the edge of the pot or when the medium is completely broken down.
Basically repotting a Boat Orchid every 2-3 years should be adequate. Repot only when new growth begins, shortly after blooming is over.
Use a pot with proper drainage holes or slits as the roots need good air circulation. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Use loose, free-draining bark soil to prevent it from getting soggy.
Shake off excess soil and trim off any dried and shrivelled pseudobulbs. The large Orchids can be divided to propagate new plants. Take a look at these orchid pots with a free slotted orchid pot liner on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Cymbidium Orchid is easy. Remove dead and diseased leaves by cutting them at the base with sharp scissors or a knife. When flowering is over, cut the flower stalk 1 inch above the 3rd node from the bottom to encourage more flower growth.
How to Trigger Flowering in Cymbidium Orchid
Give the Cymbidium Orchid 6 weeks of cool temperature of about 7-100C during the cold season.
Cut down on watering but maintain the soil moderately moist and withhold feeding during this period.
Take the orchid back to its usual spot when the 6 weeks period is over.
This kind of treatment will coax the Boat Orchid to flower as it mimicks its natural triggers in the wild.
Propagation
Cymbidium Orchids (Boat Orchids) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season once flowering is over from the pseudobulbs.
How to propagate Cymbidium Orchids from the pseudobulbs
Gently split the Cymbidium Orchid pseudobulb into sections and ensure there are at least 3 shoots on each section.
Seperate the roots attached to each division from the mother root-ball.
Remove the old potting soil attached to the roots of the sections and place each section in the center of the pot.
Bury the roots of the orchid section in the soil while ensuring that the bottom of the pseudobulb is level with the top of the soil.
The best pot should be about 1-2 inches larger than the pseudobulb of the section.
Make sure that the pot has enough drainage holes and slits to prevent root-rot of the section.
Place the set up in a shaded place until the sections have established their own roots.
Water the new Boat Orchids lightly to enhance root development. Stake each newly repotted plant.
Cymbidium Orchid Common Problems
Cymbidium Orchid (Boat Orchid) problems include black leaf tips and edges, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, leaf spots, lack of blooms, bud blast among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Moldy leaves
Moldy leaves in Cymbidium Orchid is an indication of powdery mildew. Misting the leaves may lead to mildew growth if the water does not evaporate quickly. Ensure good air circulation and stop misting.
No blooms
One possible reason why Cymbidium Orchid is not blooming is too little light. Move the orchid to a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The second possible reason for lack of blooms in Boat Orchid is overfeeding. Overfeeding can result in vegetative growth at the expense of flowers production. Feed the orchid once monthly with a weak solution of an orchid's fertilizer as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Flower buds dying before opening (bud blast)
The cause of bud blast in Cymbidium Orchid is improper watering. Too much or too little water will cause the flower buds to die before they open.
Water the the orchid thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering during the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Dark-green leaves
Dark green leaves in Cymbidium Orchid indicate that the orchid is not getting enough light. Position the orchid in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day or instal a grow light if natural lighting is not adequate. The leaves of a Boat Orchid that is receiving the correct light should be yellow-green.
Yellowish leaves
Yellowish leaves in Cymbidium Orchid indicate that your orchid is getting too much light. Move the Orchid to a shadier spot. The leaves of a Boat Orchid that is receiving bright, indirect light should be yellow-green.
Limpy and droopy leaves
Limpy and droopy leaves in Cymbidium Orchid are caused by underwatering. Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist during the cold perion but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Water the Boat Orchid thoroughly during the growing season and allow only the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let it to dry out completely.
Leaf tips turning black and dying
The cause of black leaf tips in Cymbidium Orchid is the presence of chemicals like chlorine and flourides in the water or accumulation of salts in the soil. Use chlorine-free water only to water Boat Orchid.
Flush out accumulated salts from the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil for about 10 minutes until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times.
Brown soft leaf spots
Brown soft leaf spots in Cymbidium Orchid are an indication of a fungal disease. Remove the affected leaves immediately to prevent further spread.
Brown hard and dry leaf spots
Exposure of Cymbidium Orchid to direct sunshine will result in scorch marks which are brown hard and dry spots on the leaves. Move the orchid to a shadier spot or protect it from hot direct sunshine.
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