Cattleya Cultivation Guide: From Planting to Maintenance, Make Your Cattleya Flowers Blossom Throughout the Garden

Choose a suitable planting location, soil selection and preparation, planting time and depth, watering and fertilizing, pruning and thinning flowers, pest and disease control, and flower care.

Cymbidium, also known as sword lily, is an ornamental flower with colorful and diverse varieties. Its large and beautiful flowers and long blooming period make it a popular choice for spring flower beds and cut flower markets. Mastering the correct cultivation method for Cymbidium can make your flowers bloom more vigorously. This article will introduce the cultivation methods of Cymbidium in detail to help you easily care for beautiful Cymbidium flowers.

Choosing a suitable planting location

Cymbidium prefers sunlight but can also tolerate semi-shade. Therefore, choosing a place with abundant sunlight and good drainage for planting is key. It is necessary to avoid overly damp or dark places to prevent affecting the growth of Cymbidium.

Soil selection and preparation

Cymbidium grows well in loose, fertile, and well-drained soil. It is recommended to mix leaf mold soil, garden soil, and river sand in a ratio of 3:3:4 to increase soil ventilation and water retention. Before planting, the soil should be disinfected. You can use carbendazim or mancozeb for soil disinfection.

Planting time and depth

The best planting time for Cymbidium is spring and autumn. The planting depth is generally 2-3 times the diameter of the bulb. Planting too deep or too shallow will affect the growth of the bulb. When planting, the bud eyes of the bulb should face upwards, and the soil should be pressed lightly to ensure the bulb is in close contact with the soil.

Watering and fertilizing

Cymbidium prefers a humid environment but dislikes waterlogging. During the growing period, keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. In high temperatures in summer, you can increase the frequency of watering. For fertilization, you can apply base fertilizer such as decomposed chicken manure or cow dung before planting. During the growing period, apply a compound fertilizer once a month to promote bud differentiation.

Pruning and thinning flowers

During the growth of Cymbidium, it is necessary to prune withered leaves and weak branches in time to reduce nutrient consumption and promote the growth of new buds. During the flowering period, thinning flowers can be done to retain the flower buds with the most flowers and the most vigorous growth, enhancing the ornamental value of the flowers.

Pest and disease control

The common pests and diseases of Cymbidium include leaf spot disease, aphids, and red spiders. The control methods are as follows:

1. Leaf spot disease: In the early stage of the disease, you can use carbendazim or mancozeb for spray control.

2. Aphids: You can use pymetrozine or dimethoate for spray control.

3. Red spiders: You can use abamectin or chlorbenzuron for spray control.

Flower care

During the flowering period, keep the soil moist and increase watering frequency appropriately. You can also increase sunlight to promote flowering. After the flowering period, cut off the remaining flowers in time to avoid nutrient consumption.

Cymbidium cultivation is not complicated. As long as you master the correct cultivation method, you can make your Cymbidium flowers more beautiful. I hope this complete guide to Cymbidium cultivation can be helpful to you, making your garden a beautiful scene in spring.