Boat Orchid Cymbidium 'Cali Night'

Water

The Cymbidium orchid should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of the potting media feels dry to the touch. Typically, this will be about once a week, but the frequency may increase during the warmer months or if the environment is particularly dry. During each watering, allow water to run through the potting media until it drains out the bottom, using approximately one-quarter to one-half gallon of water depending on the size of the pot. It's important to avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Reduce watering in the cooler months to prevent stagnation and possible fungal issues.

Light

Cymbidium orchids prefer bright, indirect light. They can benefit from some direct morning sun but should be shielded from the harsh afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn. An ideal spot would be a location with east-facing windows or a shaded southern or western exposure. Providing adequate light is crucial for flower production and overall plant health.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Cymbidium orchids is between 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 40 to 50 degrees at night. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees and as high as 85 degrees for short periods, but prolonged exposure to extremes outside the ideal range can be detrimental. Ensuring a slight drop in night temperature is key to triggering the blooming cycle.

Pruning

Pruning Cymbidium orchids is necessary to remove spent flower spikes and encourage new growth. After the orchid has finished blooming, usually in the late spring, cut the flower spike close to the base using sterilized pruning shears. This is also a good time to remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Pruning is not done very often, usually only once a year after the bloom cycle.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Cymbidium orchids, also known as 'boat orchids', should be well-draining and slightly acidic, with a pH around 5.5-6.5. A common recipe could be a blend of bark, perlite, and peat, which provides good aeration and drainage. This ensures that the roots do not become waterlogged and promotes healthy growth.

Repotting

Boat orchids should be repotted every two to three years to refresh the growing medium. Repotting is typically done after the orchid has finished flowering, to provide fresh nutrients and to address any issues with the previous potting mix. However, if the orchid is growing well, repotting might only be necessary when the plant outgrows its pot.

Humidity & Misting

Boat orchids thrive in environments with high humidity, ideally between 40% and 60%. Maintaining these humidity levels can be achieved by placing a humidifier near the plant or by setting the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles to create a more humid microclimate around the orchid.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Shelter from direct sun; mist daily for humidity.

• Hardiness zone

  9-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Cymbidium 'Cali Night', also known as the Cymbidium Orchid, begins its life cycle as a seed, often requiring specialized fungi to germinate and grow. Seedlings develop into plants with pseudobulbs, which are storage organs for nutrients, and from these pseudobulbs, the plant produces long, strap-like leaves. Over time, the orchid matures and develops a flower spike, featuring the characteristic beautiful and exotic, usually fragrant, flowers that can come in a variety of colors, often blooming in the late winter or spring. After the flowering stage, the blooms last several weeks before wilting; however, the orchid can rebloom from the same spike in subsequent years if it is not removed. In its perennial life cycle, the Cymbidium Orchid enters a dormant period following blooming, during which it requires less water and no fertilizer. With proper care, including a period of cooler temperatures to initiate flowering, the cycle repeats annually, with the plant potentially living and blooming for many years.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Cymbidium orchid, commonly known as the 'Cali Night', is typically propagated through division, which is the process of separating a mature plant into smaller sections. This method is most successful when performed just after the orchid has finished flowering, which generally occurs in the spring. The orchid clumps are carefully taken out of the pot and the roots are cleaned of any old media. Divisions are then made with a sterile cutting tool, ensuring that each new section has at least three to four healthy pseudobulbs. The divisions are then potted in fresh orchid potting mix, with care taken to ensure that the uppermost roots are just below the surface of the media. It's important to maintain high humidity and moderate light to encourage the newly divided orchids to establish themselves.