Cymbidium outside cold temperature

[mariella_72]

Hallo everybody,

I've got a question regarding my Cymbidium.
I got it almost 2 years ago and it had lots of flowers as you can see from the attached pic.

Last winter I kept it inside, but my florist said it should stay outside. In fact it didn't blossom...
She said the cold temperature could help it to give me some flowers!

At the moment it is on a balcony south-east where the sun comes only in the morning til 12:30.
As the weather is getting very cold in these days (around 34 degrees F during the night, 46 during the day) I covered the vase with some newspapers and I put in in a corner where it should be more protected.
I water it rarely and always in the morning.

Is it correct or am I doing something wrong?

The plant grew bigger and bigger during the summer but so far, no flowers.

I know Cymbidiums are quite difficult plants... but I'd like to see some flowers

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mariella

[BikerDoc5968]

If you do a search on this board, you'll find many threads addressing this issue. Most say Cymbidiums can handle mid 40's F (4.4C). I have several cymb that got full sun almost all day this past summer and a fall cool down and I only have 3 in spike out of about 9....there was one very good thread on OB about cymb but you'll have to search....or maybe Sue can find it....

[camille1585]

My cym still hasn't rebloomed (I'm thinking it might be a dud it refuses to bloom!), but from I know it's not a cold winter which will make it bloom. Other than running the risk of freezing it to death, I don't think putting it out in the winter cold will do anything. They need a strong difference in day/night temperature during the growing season, and lots of light, in order to initiate spikes. So stick it outside from about May to late September, in the sun. And lots of fertilizer and water during the growing season.

If you do a search on OB, you should find quite a few threads explaining Cym culture and reblooming!

[ronaldhanko]

Camille is right on target. I fertilize with every watering during the summer and water every day unless it rains. I also leave them out until it gets down in the 30's. BUT, be careful when putting your Cymbidiums outdoors in the spring - do not put them out immediately into full light of the leaves will sunburn. Move them into some light shade for a couple of weeks first and then into full sun.

[mariella_72]

Thank you guys!!
I'll check in other threads some more info!
Thank you again
Mariella

[JennS]

Can anyone clarify the temp requirements of a cymbidum x grammatophyllum? I have one that I just can't figure out....Thanks.

[Cym Ladye]

Mariella,

Check the recent thread 'Cymbidium Temperatures" under the Cymbidium Alliance. There is a post there near the end on the temperature range for Cyms.

The problem you have is not just one of temperature change but one of keeping the plant inside too long during the growing season. No amount of temperature change or fertilizer can overcome the failure of a bulb to attain the proper size during the growing season for that plant to set a flowering spike. Cyms are outdoor plants in temperate climates. They need high light short of burning for best growth and flower production.

Next spring, when here is no longer danger of freeze, take your plant outside in a 50-50 shade-sun location i.e. morning sun-afternoon shade, restart your fertilizer program and watering for the outside location, and you should get a fully mature bulb(s) for bloom in 2010. I do not know how long the plant has been in its current pot but you may also consider repotting too.

Good luck,

CL

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Mariella,

Check the recent thread 'Cymbidium Temperatures" under the Cymbidium Alliance. There is a post there near the end on the temperature range for Cyms.

The problem you have is not just one of temperature change but one of keeping the plant inside too long during the growing season. No amount of temperature change or fertilizer can overcome the failure of a bulb to attain the proper size during the growing season for that plant to set a flowering spike. Cyms are outdoor plants in temperate climates. They need high light short of burning for best growth and flower production.

Next spring, when here is no longer danger of freeze, take your plant outside in a 50-50 shade-sun location i.e. morning sun-afternoon shade, restart your fertilizer program and watering for the outside location, and you should get a fully mature bulb(s) for bloom in 2010. I do not know how long the plant has been in its current pot but you may also consider repotting too.

Good luck,

CL

That sounds like really good advice. However, seeing out latitude (Turin being pretty much at the same level as Lyon) Cyms handle fun sun all day very well. 50-50 shade-sun was not enough for my Cym, the leaves stayed quite dark. This summer they were a nice light green from being in the sun. They just need to adjust to the sun slowly for a few weeks. I will have to check for spikes on mine when I go home for christmas. I asked my sister to have a look at it, but she has no clue what a spike looks like!

[Cym Ladye]

Camille,

Another key I use for the amount of light a Cymbidium will tolerate is to give it as much light as it will handle, short of burning the leaves. Just be sure that your watering and fertilizer program keeps up with the amount of light you give.



CL