Warm Growing Cymbidium - Orchid Board

HighSeas · #1 04-30-2010, 05:13 PM

Hello everyone! One of my VERY favorite orchids of all is the Cymbidium. I first noticed them in the background...in various different movies and have been intrigued by them ever since. My husband bought one at Publix years ago and gave it to me for Easter. Turns out, it was a cool growing Cym. and I live in Florida! You wouldn't BELIEVE what we went through to maintain it's health and desire for coolness here in Florida! (Our efforts failed miserably!) Recently, after talking to Milton in the Everglades, I purchased 2 warm growing Cymbidiums (Cym. Autumn Sun 'Fireplace' x Golden Rule Geyserland). After it's acclimation after shipping, I repotted them in coconut husks and began KNL, superthrive and a fertilization schedule that doesn't involve too much nitrogen. I see roots growing! Good sign....but the ultimate objective is to get spikes! I'm confused about the sun issue. I've read that some people place them in direct sun. Mine are under the eve on the west side of the house...in a shaded area. I feel that I need to bump up the sunshine but I don't want to scorch them either! What is the best location for success? This direct sun thing scares me!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 04-30-2010, 08:03 PM

The lighting should be very bright.

Perhaps not "full sun", but very strong indirect sun for half the day.

If you've ever grown Cattleyas, Cymbidiums can take more sun than Catts, around the same as Vandas, if not a touch more (if any of this makes sense).

Actually...

To think about it, Cymbidiums can probably take as much light as perhaps something such as Laelia anceps or Laelia superbiens.

WhiteRabbit · #3 04-30-2010, 09:02 PM

Right now my cyms get full sun til early afternoon at least. As we get into summer, and days are longer and hotter, and the sun is stronger I will move them so they will be shaded by around mid-day.
Gradually increase the amount of sun they receive, so as to not burn them.

RosieC · #4 05-01-2010, 05:34 AM

Interesting info, I think I'm going to have to move my Cym to a bighter spot.

HighSeas · #5 05-01-2010, 10:33 AM

This is the light zone that I tend to have a difficult time with. It's frustrating to scortch a plant. Do you think a western exposure under a covered porch...shaded but bright would offer enough light? I have my catts there but haven't yet determined if that's working or not. An eastern exposure involves my front yard where I have some Catts who do bloom but occassionally get burned. I want to provide them with enough light....but I have to figure out how to avoid the burning. Thank you for your input....

WhiteRabbit · #6 05-01-2010, 02:41 PM

You could certainly try the shadier spot - see what happens ...

Ray · #7 05-02-2010, 09:13 AM

Both of those parents are Golden Elf hybrids, so do have a good chance of blooming in warm conditions.

However, I would never expose a cymbidium to high light levels when the temperatures are going to be as high as they will in Florida.

Standard cymbs like full sun, but they also like to be cold. Chinese cymbs- such as the ensifolium in Golden Elf's background - can take full sun in the dead of winter, but need heavy shade in the heat of summer.