Orchid (Cymbidium)

Flowers are 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, with 3 colored sepals, 2 colored petals and a 3rd petal modified into a lip that is frilled or fringed and colored differently. Stems are 16-24 inches (41-61 cm) long bearing 8-20 flowers arranged in a spike. The most famous color is white. This color is often used at weddings and funerals. Next to white the flower is also available in yellow, orange, green, pink, red and brown. Most varieties have little to no fragrance.

Family: Orchidaceae
Species: Cymbidium spp.
Origin: Native to Asia and Malaysia
Symbolizes: The Cymbidium Orchid is a symbol of morality, virtue, beauty, refinement, and love. In China and some other countries, Cymbidium symbolizes friendship and is popular at weddings.
Also Known As: Boat Orchids

Care, Handling & Design

Temperature: Safe to store at 55-65 F (13-18 C).
Humidity: 75-85 %
Water: Medium water quality. Avoid softened water.
Vase Life: 3-6 weeks if protected from ethylene damage.

What to Look for When Purchasing

Cymbidium should be purchased when at least two flowers per spike are open, or fully open if the bloom is purchased individually. Look for perky flowers that are free of discoloration, spotting and brown tips. Check the flowers for any damage when you receive them. The flowers are supplied in tubes of water. You can store them in these tubes. However, check the water level regularly and top off if low.

Foam Info

Vase life shorter than in vases.

Design Tips

Used for cut flower arrangements. Blooms can be used for corsage work. Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to comfortably read a newspaper but more light (up to filtered full sunlight) help cut Cymbidiums last their longest. Because of its exotic and luxurious appearance, and the long vase life, Cymbidium is an attractive cut flower. Nice to combine with other novelty flowers like Celosia, Calla Lily, Rose, and Amaryllis. Or go for a tropical look with different colors of Cymbidium in a bouquet. When displaying long stems of cymbidium orchids, it’s important to support them in a tall, slender vase. If not, they will have trouble getting water to the flowers, shortening vase life.

Ethylene Sensitivity

Cymbidium are ethylene sensitive. To protect flowers from ethylene damage, use an anti-ethylene product to treat flowers as soon as possible after harvest.

Pest & Disease Information

Botrytis (small circular pinkish or brown spots), and Anthracnose (small round black spots on petals) flower blight can occur on petals. Good sanitation and humidity management helps to control.

Troubleshooting

Chilling injury or ethylene damage appears as translucent or dried patches on petals and sepals or darkening of the lip and column. Flower abscission (drop) due to ethylene damage. Mechanical damage due to improper packaging.

Product Usage

For optimal care of Orchid (Cymbidium), please reference the chart of products below. Make sure to select your region to see which products are available.

BreedersGrowersBouquet OperationsTransportersWholesalersFloristsEvent Planners & DesignersSupermarkets & Club StoresEcommerce & DropshippersFlower Enthusiasts
Clean & Disinfect
FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner
FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner
FloraLife® D.L.D. Cleaner
FloraLife® D.L.D. Cleaner 
FloraLife® Floral Cleaner
FloraLife® Floral Cleaner 
FloraLife® Cleaner
FloraLife® Cleaner  
FloraLife® Cleaner Plus
FloraLife® Cleaner Plus   
FloraLife® STRIP-IT® Cleaner
FloraLife® STRIP-IT® Cleaner        
Hydrate
FloraLife® Bulb 100
FloraLife® Bulb 100          
FloraLife HydraFlor® 100
FloraLife HydraFlor® 100      
Floralife® Hydraflor Clear Ultra 100
Floralife® Hydraflor Clear Ultra 100      
FloraLife® Hydrate Hydrangea
FloraLife® Hydrate Hydrangea          
FloraLife® Hydrate Plus 100
FloraLife® Hydrate Plus 100        
FloraLife® Hydrate Universal 100
FloraLife® Hydrate Universal 100        
FloraLife® PRG
FloraLife® PRG 
FloraLife® Quick Dip
FloraLife® Quick Dip    
Treat
EthylBloc™ Tablet
EthylBloc™ Tablet     
EthylBloc™ Truck Kit
EthylBloc™ Truck Kit    
FloraLife® EthylGuard 100
FloraLife® EthylGuard 100        
FloraLife® EthylGuard ULTRA 100
FloraLife® EthylGuard ULTRA 100        
FloraLife® Calla Lily 100
FloraLife® Calla Lily 100          
FloraLife® Shield ULTRA
FloraLife® Shield ULTRA        
Store & Transport
FloraLife® 200
FloraLife® 200   
FloraLife® Clear 200
FloraLife® Clear 200   
FloraLife® Clear ULTRA 200
FloraLife® Clear ULTRA 200   
FloraLife® Clear 200 eZ Dose®
FloraLife® Clear 200 eZ Dose®   
FloraLife® Clear Rose 200
FloraLife® Clear Rose 200          
FloraLife® Express 200 eZ Dose®
FloraLife® Express 200 eZ Dose®   
FloraLife® Express Clear 200
FloraLife® Express Clear 200   
FloraLife® Bouquet Wrap
FloraLife® Bouquet Wrap   
Feed
FloraLife® Bulb Food Clear 300
FloraLife® Bulb Food Clear 300          
FloraLife Crystal Clear®
FloraLife Crystal Clear®      
FloraLife Crystal Clear® ULTRA
FloraLife Crystal Clear® ULTRA      
FloraLife® Clear 300
FloraLife® Clear 300      
FloraLife® Express Universal 300
FloraLife® Express Universal 300      
FloraLife® Floral Foam Food 300
FloraLife® Floral Foam Food 300      
FloraLife® Flower Food 300
FloraLife® Flower Food 300      
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300          
FloraLife® Special Blend 300
FloraLife® Special Blend 300      
Finish
FloraLife® Clear Crowning Glory
FloraLife® Clear Crowning Glory   
FloraLife® ForEver Green
FloraLife® ForEver Green          
FloraLife® HydroSpray
FloraLife® HydroSpray    
FloraLife® LeafShine
FloraLife® LeafShine   
FloraLife® LeafShine Silicone Free
FloraLife® LeafShine Silicone Free   
Dose
FloraLife® Blend Center
FloraLife® Blend Center 
FloraLife® Aquablend Injector
FloraLife® Aquablend Injector 
FloraLife® QuickMix Handheld Dosing System
FloraLife® QuickMix Handheld Dosing System
Customer Care
FloraLife® Bulb Food Clear 300 Packets
FloraLife® Bulb Food Clear 300 Packets          
FloraLife Crystal Clear® Packets
FloraLife Crystal Clear® Packets  
FloraLife® Universal 300 Packets
FloraLife® Universal 300 Packets  
FloraLife® Flower Food 300 Packets
FloraLife® Flower Food 300 Packets  
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300 Packets
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300 Packets          
Fresh-Cut Flower Care Kit
Fresh-Cut Flower Care Kit         
FloraLife® Surface Cleaner
FloraLife® Surface Cleaner         
FloraLife® Quick Dip
FloraLife® Quick Dip         
FloraLife® Flower Food
FloraLife® Flower Food         
FloraLife® Finishing Touch Spray
FloraLife® Finishing Touch Spray