Growing Outdoors - Cymbidium and Alcra

[alannanoelle]

I recently acquired two new orchids that I need some help with. One is a Cymbidium and the other is an "Alcra Yellow Star." I am hoping to grow both of them outdoors, if possible. I live in Southern California, where we have generally mild winters and summers.

I've already learned that the Alcra is an Oncidium alliance inter-generic hybrid. I was told that I should not plant it in the ground. Is it better to grow it in a pot outdoors, or would it do better in the house? I already have several Phals and a Paph indoors.

I would definitely like to grow the Cymbidium outdoors, as that is where it was growing before it was given to me. It is currently in a pot, and I'm assuming it should be repotted, as I doubt it's been repotted anytime in the past several years. I was told that planting it under a tree would give it a good balance of light. Can I plant it directly in the ground, or does it need to be in a pot? What type of medium should I use, whether in a pot or in the ground? Also, it has several bulbs on it - some are green and some are dried up and brown with green inside. Are they all good, or should I remove some of them?

Sorry for all the questions...I am completely new to these varieties!

Thanks!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by alannanoelle

I recently acquired two new orchids that I need some help with. One is a Cymbidium and the other is an "Alcra Yellow Star." I am hoping to grow both of them outdoors, if possible. I live in Southern California, where we have generally mild winters and summers.

I've already learned that the Alcra is an Oncidium alliance inter-generic hybrid. I was told that I should not plant it in the ground. Is it better to grow it in a pot outdoors, or would it do better in the house? I already have several Phals and a Paph indoors.

This can be grown outdoors during warmer weather, but should probably be brought inside sometime in the fall. Most Oncidium alliance orchids like to remain slightly moist. Moderate light - morning or afternoon.

I would definitely like to grow the Cymbidium outdoors, as that is where it was growing before it was given to me. It is currently in a pot, and I'm assuming it should be repotted, as I doubt it's been repotted anytime in the past several years. I was told that planting it under a tree would give it a good balance of light. Can I plant it directly in the ground, or does it need to be in a pot? What type of medium should I use, whether in a pot or in the ground? Also, it has several bulbs on it - some are green and some are dried up and brown with green inside. Are they all good, or should I remove some of them?

I have heard it is possible to grow cyms in ground, but they still need to be in orchid media rather than soil, so a very large hole needs to be dug - cyms have extensive roots. Cyms are not truly 'terrestrial'. Also if in ground, you can't move it. If it turns out it isn't getting enough light to bloom where you 'plant' it, you can't move it into more light. Also - if it is in bud and there is a frost or freeze, you may lose the buds. Or if there is the occasional freaky extreme cold with temps dropping into the 20s, you might lose your plant. I really think a pot is the way to go. Different people use different media for cyms, but the important thing is that it retains moisture well, but also drains well. Most people use plastic pots, as media dries slower in plastic. I pot cyms in a combination of medium and fine orchid bark, with added perlite, charcoal, and styro pnuts. Medium coconut husk chips with added perlite and charcoal is also frequently used. Or a combo of bark, coconut husk chips, perlite, charcoal.

If you really wish to try planting a cym in the ground - pehaps divide the plant to try that. I found this info on planting cyms in ground Orchids: How to plant cymbidiums in the ground?, sandy loam, plastic pot. I would recommend researching this. It's possible, but I'm not sure it's ideal.

The brown bulbs are 'back bulbs' and probably not actually dead, but covered by old dead bract foliage. If the brown parts are pulled away they are probably green underneath. You can remove them or leave them. Tho if there are a lot of back bulbs, and fewer active growths, you might want to leave some of the backbulbs. If you remove them it is possible to propagate plants from these if that's something you wish to try.

Due to the massive amount of roots cyms frequently have - be prepared that repotting may take a bit of time.

Hope this helps a bit

[alannanoelle]

Thank you very much!!!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by alannanoelle

Thank you very much!!!

I had been editing my post - probably as you were reading/replying - there is info on the web as to planting cyms in ground - if you wish to try it - maybe divide the plant if it's large - can pot one, and plant one in ground ?

Definitely grow cyms outdoors - they can take just below freezing temps for a SHORT period. Frost and freeze can damage buds, or spikes - protect plants with spikes from frost and freeze. In case of the rare times of colder night temps - shelter plants - I move mine onto sheltered porch, placing them next to the wall of the house, or into garage.

[RosieC]

Well I'm in a completely different part of the world, but here in the UK my Cym is in almost full sun in a pot in the garden.

I was told by Camille here on OB that hers like full sun down near Lyon in France which is a lot further south than me.

Mine will go in the greenhouse over the winter, which will be heated just enough to keep it from dropping below freezing. It was in the house the winter just gone, as I only built the greenhouse in January and haven't heated it yet, but it went out in the greenhouse as soon as the temps in there were not getting below freezing.

[alannanoelle]

Thanks for all the input! I think I'm going to keep my cym in a pot outdoors. That way I can move it if necessary. I may try dividing it in the future, but I think I'll keep it as it is for now.