Of all the orchid genera, the Cymbidium orchid is one of the easier to care for, particularly if you want your orchids outside for much of the year. Because most commercially available Cymbidium orchids are terrestrials, they must have special, loose media to grow in. Typically, they thrive in a medium or fine fir bark mix or a specified Cymbidium potting mix. While this guide provides specific tips for one orchid, make sure to review Orchid Care Guide for All Types which provides general orchid care instruction relevant to Cymbidiums.

This page is a result of Steve Early's interest in Species Cymbidiums and in the hope that it may create more interest in this group of orchids and also act as a source of some information to those that require it.

Cymbidiums are a large group of grassy-leaved plants requiring different culture depending on the group they belong to. The classic hybrids are divided into 2 groups, called standards and miniatures. The standards are large-flowered, and usually lack fragrance. The miniatures are small-flowered, and also usually lack fragrance. For our purposes, we will lump them together as "Classic Hybrids". I will talk about the specific needs of each group below, but first I will cover general topics that apply to ALL cymbidium groups.

Growing heat-tolerant cymbidiums (HTCs) in tropical climates is easy and low maintenance. The ease is comparable to growing dendrobium hybrids, which is usually the starting point for beginners. HTCs generally can stand the impact of rainfall; therefore they do not need a rainproof roof.

(by Kobsukh Kaenratana)

Anyone who has ever grown cymbidiums knows that these wonderful plants are probably the most robust growers of all the orchid family. One of the easiest but often misunderstood ways of propagating cymbidiums is through the growing of the dormant backbulbs. There is a natural tendency for these plants to drop their leaves and produce backbulbs, which, when separated at the time of repotting and sprouted, may be used to increase the size of one's collection quite easily. In this manner, one small plant may be grown and propagat­ed into many within just a few years.

(by James Rose)

The following information is from the "AOS Culture Sheet for Cymbidium" located on the AOS web site found here and "Cymbidium for Beginners", also from the AOS web site and located here . 

• blooming phase:  late fall to winter in the northern hemisphere, keeping its blooms until spring
• growing phase:  spring through early fall
• dormancy: fall – winter