Cymbidium canaliculatum

Also known as: The Small Grooved Leaf Cymbidium or The Channeled Boat-Lip Orchid The Tiger Boat-Lip Orchid in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Queensland - Australia

General Information

The Small Grooved Leaf Cymbidium is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Australia.

Plant Description

Grows to 27-48cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, erect, rigid, elliptic leaves that grow to 15-46cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-12cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting blossoms appear during Spring

Blooming Season

• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 18mm to 66mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 33% to 56%, highest in December and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 4C to 36C, highest in July (22C to 36C) and lowest in January (4C to 20C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

Fertiliser

These plants thrive on fertiliser, especially during periods of growth. Liquid fertiliser can be applied year round at the recommended strength, augmented with manure pellets or other quickly degradable fertiliser, applied away from the base of the plant, during periods of strong growth. Slow release pellets can also be applied year round at the rate of 2-3 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, and by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears. 

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser during Winter. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.