How to bloom a cymbidium

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yeah, I keep forgetting that there are a few warm growing Cymbidiums.

A few Cymbidium species are warm growing for sure, but I don't know how popular warm growing Cymbidium hybrids are, or if there have been large numbers of them made.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Dividing does make them skip a cycle.

good to know - I've only once intentionally divided one, and it did miss a year blooming after

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Yeah, I keep forgetting that there are a few warm growing Cymbidiums.

A few Cymbidium species are warm growing for sure, but I don't know how popular warm growing Cymbidium hybrids are, or if there have been large numbers of them made.

Yeah - most of my cyms are noids, so I have no idea whether or not any might be warmth tolerant

[Paul Mc]

Last year I did not know to leave it out until the night temperatures got really low. This year, I left it out and got no blooms but perhaps it's because I did repot it. So I guess I will have to wait another year, lol... Thank goodness I have enough other orchids to satisfy my flower urge in the meantime!

[WhiteRabbit]

You might try getting them into more sun - I checked the latitudes for St Louis and San Jose, CA (where I am) and they are pretty close. My cyms get full sun in the morning.
I think cyms would need more light than Phaius, tho I don't grow Phaius, so I could be mistaken.


ETA: looking at IOSPE various Phaius species, does seem to indicate they are fairly low light plants. So sufficient light for Phaius is probably insufficient for most Cyms

[snviolet]

thanks for the info. Looks like a greenhouse is next on my Wish List!

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Dividing does make them skip a cycle.

King of Orchids,

You can make this unilateral statement for Cymbidiums under your conditions , but in my experience of successfully growing Cyms for over 35 years in Northern California, I can say that 3/4 of my divisions initiate spikes the year I divide them. True, they may not carry the optimum bloom count and I usually cut the spike so the plant can go into growth mode early, but they do initiate spikes. It all depends on the size and condition of the plant divided, the methods used and the size and condition of the division.

CL

[Paul Mc]

Well, after having read everyone's thoughts on this I decided to purchase a light meter. Silly ol me for not having one to begin with, lol... All I can say is WOW, I did not expect to find the results in various places that I did. Some places I thought the light was bright ended up being not so hot for plants and other places that I thought were too shady ended up being really high! I have thus moved my Cymbidium from a place that appeared to only be getting about 1000 to 1500 footcandles during the winter to a shelf where it's not getting between 3000 to 4000 footcandles depending where you measure it from.

I guess I will see what happens either this year or next.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and comments! They are noted!

[derfamgen]

I got carried away and bought several plants on sale at Sam's Club last Easter. I put them outside once the weather cooled off here in the fall. Has anyone been successful in keeping them outside all year round in hot climates - I'm in Phoenix AZ. I don't that any buds yet. From reading this thread, I suspect they're not getting enough light in my entry way.

Mickey in AZ

[RobertaT]

I am so glad I found this site. I have a cymb. too and would really like it to re-bloom. I'm so glad I could read all the posts. I live in northern BC and to keep my orchids from getting too warm I push them against a window and crack the window open all winter. I can get my phaels to re-bloom. Now here is hoping next winter my cym will! Thanks everyone!