Asian Cymbidium Orchids, traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese Orchid Containers

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Watering and Fertilizing of Asian Cymbidiums

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The graceful fragrant flowers of Cymbidium sinense Dou

Watering and Fertilizing of Asian Cymbidiums

Watering

Watering is one of the most important parts of Asian Cymbidium cultivation. Chinese Folklore dictates that apprentice orchid growers "practice for three years" to develop flower-watering skill. This point of view is not unreasonable, since there is no fixed requirement to the frequency of watering. The schedule will vary with climate, season, media, species and condition. True mastery can only be achieved through practice and experience. However, we can give you some basic guidelines and scientific principles to reduce your apprenticeship period.

How you are controlling the humidity around your Cymbidiums will greatly affect the frequency of watering. Inexpensive high/low thermometers with built in humidity readings are available from most greenhouse supply stores. Knowing the humidity and temperature is a must for all orchid growers. Controlling the humidity makes the watering cycle much more predictable. Remember that for Asian Cymbidiums there are two distinct watering seasons! During the dry season humidity should be controlled to 40-60%. During the summer growing season humidity should be maintained at 70-90%. Automatic humidity control, or alternatives such as misting manually, or using water filled humidity trays underneath the plants, is essential.

Watering, by sprinklers, or by pouring water directly into the pot needs to be controlled. The amount of water and length of time of the operation has to thoroughly wet the media without soaking it. The basic rule of thumb: Cymbidiums "love wet but hate water" and "love dry but hate hot and dry". The watering program should be based on principle of moisture as the priority, keeping the balance between wet and dry. Choosing a media mix that has good drainage and dries evenly is paramount to achieving this objective.

Putting your finger into the media is a good check of the moisture content. The media should be moist not wet, and will be cool to the touch.

This two-part article appeared in the American Orchid Society Magazine "Orchids" in July 1999 and August 1999. All photographs are copyright of Charles Marden Fitch 1999 and cannot be used without permission of him or the author.