Removing an emerging Cymbidium flower spike to preserve energy for growth?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by ElliotLi

Yes.

I have a Cym. ensifolium from Asia that I'm wintering inside.

I also have a Cym. Chuleewon's Christmas '#1' from Southeast Asia, which is supposed to be a Cym. ensifolium, Cym. sinense, and Cym. insigne hybrid. I think all these three are somewhat sensitive to cold.

My other ensifolium hybrids have unknown lineage, so I just put them inside just to be safe. When I have more divisions I can try to overwinter them outside for a test.

I don't think Cym insigne is sensitive, but ensifolium and sinense are, so you're quite right to protect it. I think you can go somewhat by the "look" - if they look more like Asian Cyms, probably on the fragile side. If the other parent is a standard, the flowers are bigger, and probably OK. If you are in zone 9b you probably have to be a little more careful than I do... I'm in 10a. I do get the occasional frost (my Cyms and the rest of the orchids got through the freeze of 2007, not as cold as it was in Solana Beach but about a week of nights down to 32 deg F) A lot depends on what happens during the day... if it warms up, it is amazing what orchids will tolerate. And that is the usual pattern... when it is cloudy, it is not as cold.

[ElliotLi]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I don't think Cym insigne is sensitive, but ensifolium and sinense are, so you're quite right to protect it. I think you can go somewhat by the "look" - if they look more like Asian Cyms, probably on the fragile side. If the other parent is a standard, the flowers are bigger, and probably OK.

Yeah this Cym. ensifolium, Cym. sinense, and Cym. insigne hybrid looks identical to a thin-leaf ensifolium, so I also think it might love a warm environment.

Originally Posted by Roberta

If you are in zone 9b you probably have to be a little more careful than I do... I'm in 10a. I do get the occasional frost (my Cyms and the rest of the orchids got through the freeze of 2007, not as cold as it was in Solana Beach but about a week of nights down to 32 deg F) A lot depends on what happens during the day... if it warms up, it is amazing what orchids will tolerate. And that is the usual pattern... when it is cloudy, it is not as cold.

Last winter, I don't remember seeing a single day below 40. It was super mild. Not sure how this year would turn out to be.

Originally Posted by Ray

I used to import about 500 “Chinese” cymbidiums a month from a grower in Taiwan - ensifolium, sinense, kanran, and goeringii.

They were grown there in 50/50 pumice and twigs, fed with nothing but diluted, spoiled milk, saw the 90’s with shade in summer, and snow and full sun in winter.

That's very interesting. Of all things, who would have thought they'd use spoiled milk! I'd think small plants out of the flask should be kept as clean as possible.