The manner in which you water the Cymbidium orchid will depend somewhat on whether or not your plant is in an active growth phase. If so, you should apply water to your plant’s soil and, if the weather is warm, perform occasional overhead watering to allow the plant to absorb moisture through its leaves. By contrast, in winter, and when the weather is cool or wet generally, you should stick to watering the soil directly rather than including overhead watering as well. You’ll know your Cymbidium orchid needs more water if its roots and leaves become thin and dry or show discoloration. Cymbidium orchid receives too much water will look mushy and limp. You should grow your Cymbidium orchid in a pot and ensure that the potting mix you use has fantastic drainage. During the growing season, you’ll need to water this plant multiple times per week. However, each watering should drain quickly through the growing medium to prevent any standing water. The amount of water you give will change based on the size of the pot you use. Generally, pots that are a bit larger will need water less frequently, while smaller pots will have a slightly more frequent watering schedule. Rainwater and distilled water are the best kinds of water to use for this plant, and it is best if the water you use matches the temperature of the air as closely as possible.

Allowing your Cymbidium orchid to sit in soil that remains too moist for too long is one of the most common ways to kill this plant. While these plants need water frequently during active growth, they also need to live in a growing medium that drains water rapidly. When this plant experiences overwatering, it will become mushy and develop root rot. If that occurs, you should be prepared to use a pair of sterile pruning shears to cut out any roots that show signs of rot. After doing that, you should then repot your Cymbidium orchid, ensuring that the container allows for drainage and that you fill the container with a fast-draining potting mix. However, Cymbidium orchid doesn’t typically respond that well to excessive repotting, so it is crucial to get your watering rate right. Underwatered Cymbidium orchid will begin to shrivel and feel dry to the touch. If this occurs, it is likely because the soil is drying out faster than you expected, which means you should increase your watering frequency.

During the active growth stage, which spans the spring and summer months, you should plan to water your Cymbidium orchid about once or twice per week while increasing that rate to three times per week or more in the case of long periods of hot and dry weather. In the winter, you will also need to water your Cymbidium orchid, but not nearly as much. A watering frequency of two to three times per month should be enough to keep your Cymbidium orchid alive during the coldest months. However, if you keep your Cymbidium orchid indoors during winter, you should account for the fact that indoor growing locations can cause the soil to dry quicker than usual, which may mean you need to increase the number of monthly waterings. You can use the fall as a time to gradually reduce your watering frequency from the summer rate of multiple times per week down to your reduced winter watering schedule.

There are two important growth phases that you should consider when planning the watering schedule for your Cymbidium orchid. The first of those periods is the active growth period, which happens in spring and summer, and which calls for watering this plant multiple times per week. The second important growth period is the rest period that the Cymbidium orchid should experience for about two to three months each year during winter. During that time, your plant will need far less water and fertilization than normal. Water about once or twice per month during this time. During the fall, you should begin to gradually reduce your watering frequency from multiple times per week all the way down to the once or twice per month rate that is appropriate for winter.

The Cymbidium orchid requires a growing environment that is relatively humid. Unfortunately, most indoor growing locations will lack the level of air moisture that this plant prefers. This causes the plant and its soil to dry out more quickly than it would when growing outdoors. To combat this effect, you may want to include a humidifier in the room where you grow your Cymbidium orchid. You may also need to water it a bit more frequently as well. However, while Cymbidium orchids do prefer humidity, they also require adequate air circulation as well, to prevent excessive moisture build-ups and the diseases that can result. Consider including a fan in the room where you grow this plant as well to ensure proper air circulation remains present.

It is helpful to lightly prune this plant periodically during the spring and summer. When performing this light pruning, you should search for leaves that have wilted, become discolored, show signs of disease, or have died completely. Remove dead or damaged leaves by cutting their petioles, or trimming off stems that have died. This will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. Some gardeners also choose to remove the flower buds of the Cymbidium orchid. However, removing flower buds before they open is a strictly aesthetic decision that will emphasize the beauty of this plant’s showy leaves.

You can prune your Cymbidium orchid any time you notice dead, diseased, or damaged leaves during the growing season. Once you notice such a leave, locate an unwanted leaf, then follow its stem all the way to the bottom of petiole. Removing dead stems will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. you can cut its stem just above the soil’s surface to remove it. Such pruning can take place as needed during spring and summer. Also, this plant can bloom any time between spring and fall, and some gardeners choose to remove flower buds before they have a chance to open. Removing unopened flower buds allows this plant to focus most of its growing energy on its beautiful leaves. However, pruning in this manner does not necessarily influence the plant’s overall health.

Pruning the Cymbidium orchid is as easy as waiting until you notice dead or damaged leaves on your plant. When you recognize these leaves, equip yourself with a pair of sharp and sterile hand pruning shears. Hand pruning shears will work best as larger tools like loppers will not be well suited to the precise cuts you need to make. Once you have a proper set of pruning tools, locate an unwanted leaf, then follow its stem all the way to the bottom of petiole. Removing dead stems will increase the light and ventilation of the plant and help it to grow. Cut the stem just above where it exits the soil to remove it entirely. If you wish to stop this plant from flowering, you can use the same pruning shears to remove any buds before they open. Finally, you may prefer to just trim off dead or damaged portions of the plant, including deadheading spent flowers, to keep it looking its best. This can be done at any time of year. Diseased or damaged stems should be cut right at the soil line and removed completely. Blooms should be cut off just below the flower head.

Since pruning for the Cymbidium orchid should take place periodically throughout the season, what you do after pruning can vary. For instance, if you prune to remove selected leaves and stems from your Cymbidium orchid, you won’t need to do anything except continue your regular maintenance routine. At times, you may choose to remove healthier leaves and include them in a display of cut flowers and foliage. However, there is no crucial maintenance task to perform for this plant after typical pruning. The only thing to note is that when watering after pruning, you need to be careful not to touch the wound to prevent fungus from infecting the plant through the fresh wound. Placing Cymbidium orchid in a well-ventilated location will also help the wounds to dry out and heal in time. The timely replenishment of Cymbidium orchid after pruning will help the Cymbidium orchid to recover as soon as possible.

For your major pruning, use sharp pruning sheers that will make clean cuts to avoid damaging your plants. As you are pruning your Cymbidium orchid, step back occasionally to check the appearance of the plant to make sure it has the shape you want and that you are pruning it symmetrically. If the overall growth of the plant is weak, the flowers need to be pruned back in time for flowering to be able to save nutrients for leaf growth and allow the plant to grow more vigorously.

Cymbidium orchid requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Cymbidium orchid, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Cymbidium orchid in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.

If Cymbidium orchid is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Cymbidium orchid some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Cymbidium orchid near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.

If Cymbidium orchid doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Cymbidium orchid to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.

While both Cymbidium orchid and Cymbidium orchid require different levels of maintenance, they both grow best within the same temperature range. For warm-weather plants to thrive, you’ll want to keep them between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). Cymbidium orchid can handle some temperatures outside of this range, but if at all possible, keep your growing environment within several degrees of these limits. As for the highest and lowest temperatures Cymbidium orchid can withstand, that would fall between 50℉ (15℃) on the lower limit and 95℉(35℃) on the higher limit. As Cymbidium orchid prefers warmer weather, traditionally growing in summer if planted outdoors, the lower temperature range is the most important to avoid. Going below 70℉ (25℃) will result in slowed growth, and anything below 50℉ (15℃) will start to damage and even kill the plants.

The Cymbidium orchid will not bloom or flower if kept in low temperatures, so make sure to maintain a consistent range to allow them to flower to their full potential. Temperature fluctuations are also harmful, no matter what phase of growth they are in. Going below 70℉ (25℃) and above 90℉ (32℃) can slow down and hinder Cymbidium orchid growing phase, while sitting below 50℉ (15℃) for long periods of time can prevent them from flowering all together. Cymbidium orchid is not hardy, and therefore need a well-turned environment to grow properly. You’ll want to retain as much control over the temperature as you possibly can. Cymbidium orchid will also need to go through a cool period, which we discuss further below.

Tip #1: After Blooming, Cymbidium orchid Need a Cool Period When grown outside, Cymbidium orchid will go through a necessary cooling period for winter. When grown indoors or in a greenhouse, this same rule must be followed, but can happen during any season. If done correctly, your Cymbidium orchid can bloom multiple times a year. Keep your Cymbidium orchid between 75-90℉ (25-32℃) during this cooling period for the optimal effect. Tip #2: Cymbidium orchid Prefer it Colder at Night While you are likely going to grow your Cymbidium orchid, where you can keep them within the optimal temperature range and give them the right amount of light, Cymbidium orchid prefers colder temperatures at night when grown outdoors. This temperature range usually moves between 50~75℉(15-25℃). Due to the lack of climate control that growing outdoors involves, it's usually impossible to control if Cymbidium orchid stays within this range. Tip #3: Watch for the Signs of Cold Damage Because Cymbidium orchid enjoys the higher temperatures and lacks the hardiness of winter plants, it is especially susceptible to cold damage. You’ll want to make sure you monitor the temperature of your growing space closely. Anything below 50℉ (15℃) will begin to harm your plants, and too much cold exposure can kill them entirely. Watch for the signs that this damage is occurring: if your Cymbidium orchid starts to show discoloration on their foliage and stems, that means they are getting too cold. If large sections of your Cymbidium orchid are drying and turning brown, that means that the tissue is dying. Move Cymbidium orchid to a warmer environment immediately; in some cases, they can recover.

Unless you intend to grow Cymbidium orchid outside, you won’t need to worry about different temperatures for different seasons. If you can’t find space in your home or a greenhouse and you have to use an outdoor space, make sure that you grow them in the summer. You’ll also have to check that your area reaches, but doesn’t exceed, temperatures of between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). It can be nearly impossible to control outdoor weather conditions in that way, so it's almost always better to use an indoor space or greenhouse. Cymbidium orchid prefers as much sunlight as possible, so you’ll need to pick an area that gets ample natural light. A greenhouse makes this the better of the two options; these structures allow Cymbidium orchid to get the most direct sunlight possible while still maintaining the high temperatures they require.

The best way to maintain the right temperature for Cymbidium orchid is to place them in a climate controlled environment. This can be a room within your home, provided you have A/C or fans to ensure that the area stays within the optimal temperature range. If you live in a colder region, you will need to make sure you have a quality heating system. Cymbidium orchid does best in a hot environment, so you’ll want to ensure you have the ability to heat a room to temperatures as high as 75℉ (25℃). If you can’t feasibly heat a room in your home up to those temperatures, you’ll want to consider placing your Cymbidium orchid inside of a greenhouse. A greenhouse can save you money on heating, as the structure is naturally heated when sunlight passes through its clear or opaque glass panels. This keeps the greenhouse at the right temperature, making sure that Cymbidium orchid is growing in the best environment possible.