Cultivation of Cymbidium

1. Cultivation of Cymbidium Presented by : Darjeeling Gardens Private Limited

2. Deflusking Seedlings • Seedlings inside the bottle • Grab the larger plants and pull to • separate the agar from the bottle of the • jar tenderly and gently with minimum • mortality rate.

3. Rinse the agar from the root mass • Soak the plants in a solution of subdue • (systematic fungicides) for about 5 minutes

4. Ready to plant seedlings in the given manner

5. IDEAL CONDITION FOR THE GROWTH OF CYMBIDIUM LIGHT INTENSITY Light Intensity can be control by Shade net (50% to 70%) and artificial Light using halogens. Maximum day length should be 16 hours. RELATIVE HUMIDITY  RH should be between 50% to 80% and it can be control by roof spraying, floor spraying or exhaust fans. TEMPERATURE  During the hardening stage the temperature should me maintain at 18°C at night and 20-25°C during the day i.e. 18°C-25°C After hardening the plant the temperature can be around 14°C to 20°C in winter period.

6. SUBSTRATE Substrate should be light , aerated ,good water holding capacity and high porosity so there are two kind of media we can use for the growing cymbidium: Leaf Mull : this are locally prepared and Low cost media with natural feeding to the plants generally used by the local people, but it had its own disadvantages like this substrate are to change every year, it is not safe from pest and diseases, feeding the plant before root development and others Cocopit: This substrate is a bi product of coconut and are used as a Media globally because this media are safe from pest and diseases and is also a soilless cultivation. This media can be reused after steralization. So if we see the cost effectiveness it is cheap. But here one has to maintain proper fertigation schedule.

7. PRODUCTION PROCEDURE We deliver Cymbidium in flasks (tissue culture flasks) or as plantlets, when their leaves are 10-15 cm long, sow it in plugs (plug trays) or accordingly given in the picture and keep it uniformly. Put a label of their varieties on it. Do not used any fertilizers until the roots starts developing. Maintain the temperature between 18-25°C and humidity between 60% to 80% .

8. when plants are large enough (after 6 to 8 Months ), they can be transplanted into 14/15 - cm pots (2-litre volume) and the nature of media should be little more Aerated by mixing coco – chip or pine Barks with the substrate or dry cow dung as practice locally.

9. IRRIGATION Water is one of the most important factors in production. Only rainwater or reverse osmosis water is suitable. Ultimately, any other kind of water will always result in cultivation problems. Provide enough water storage capacity. On hot days an average Cymbidium crop needs 2-3 litres water per m2 per days for transpiration. If water being provided by drip irrigation is not maintained at a minimum temperature of 12°C, various growth problems can develop. Warmer temperatures result in no problems as long as the water is kept below 25°C. A counter-flow system or small heated indoor intermediate tank is required.

10. MICRO AND MACRO NUTRIENTS Generally orchids require less fertilizer than most other plants. But feeding them the right amount of orchid fertilizer at the right time can lead to more brilliant flowers and stronger growth. In the winter, or when the plants are not actively growing, don’t fertilize the orchids at all. Thin-leaf orchids such as Cymbidium  will have leaves with burned tips. To remedy this situation, flush the pots with plain water to get the fertilizer out. Orchids need 16 nutrients—nine macronutrients and seven micronutrients. Macronutrients are so called because they are needed in larger quantity. On the other hand, micronutrients, though equally critical to the health of orchid, are need in very small amount. These nutrients are: • Macronutrients • Hydrogen (H) – food production • Carbon (C) – food production • Oxygen (O) – food production • Nitrogen (N) – leave and stem growth • Phosphorus (P) – flower production • Potassium (K) – general good health • Calcium (Ca) – cell wall formation • Sulfur (S) – combined with N and P to produce proteins • Magnesium (Mg) –producing food Micronutrients Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Zinc (Zn) Copper (Cu) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) Chlorine (Cl)

11. FUNGICIDES AND INSECTISIDES (MEDICATION) Alternative use of systematic and unsystematic fungicites like Bavistin and Indophill M45 respectively used. In the rainy season or when the humidity is very high we can use Moximate or Companion. We can use O-Mites Or Atom for mites and Insects. Jump can be also used if trips are visible.

12. GREEENHOUSE SYSTEM • Hi-Tech Greenhouses : Made of GI pipes or alluminium fitting under • latest UV sheet with good irrigation system (Drip Irrigation facility).

13. Low Cost Greenhouses : Made of bamboo and low cost UV sheet and water tank for irrigation.

14. For cultivating cymbidium should have several sections for producing • Cymbidium to accommodate the various flowering periods : • vegetative phase for young plants • early-season flowering (until Christmas) • mid-season flowering (January-Februaray) • late-season flowering (March – April) • Bed Should be prepare in such a design so that the will be proper • drenching of water ( at least 20% ) and aeration. • Shade net of 30 to 50% is provided to control light intensity

15. SCHEDULE SHEET FOR CYMBIDIUM CULTIVATION

16. Thank you Darjeeling Gardens Private Limited 3rd Floor Janpath House Seth Srilal Market, Sevoke Road Siliguri- 734001 Mob no. +919733312397, +9133312385