Another newbie trying her hand at growing a Cymbidium - Orchid Board

LavendarSunset · #1 03-01-2012, 09:40 PM

I went to Lowe's garden center to look at trees, which I did, but also had to check out the indoor plants. On the sale rack I noticed what looked like a rather large orchid shoved towards the back, and after some carefull maneuvering I managed to get it out to where I could look at it. Amazingly enough, it was healthy, fresh, full of new growth with a couple of bent leaves from being wadded into the rack, but no other damage and/or browning or dead leaves. The tag read Cym. Lovely Valley (it was not blooming), and I figured for the marked down price of $8.88, it would have a better chance of living at my house, so I bought it. The plant is large and full; I cut off the two broken leaves and gave it a watering. Now I need to know what I can do to ensure it gets everything it needs to survive and be happy! ☺ Thanks!!

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-01-2012, 11:03 PM

Glad you found us!

Ooo - that one should be awesome - found a pic here:
Cymbidium Lovely Valley

Lots of sun (outdoors, shade by mid-day in very hot weather), don't allow media to dry out (but don't leave pot standing in water), well draining media that retains moisture well, fertilize well while growing. Most Cyms require a period of cool nights (low 50s, or lower) in fall to initiate spikes (tho some are 'warmth tolerant' and don't require the cool period, don't know about this one). Don't know what part of AZ you are in, so don't know what your weather may be like ... ? Cyms generally can tolerate temps down to just below freezing for short periods, sheltered from frost.

LavendarSunset · #3 03-02-2012, 01:11 AM

Thanks for the nice welcome and quick response!
I live about 40 miles west of Phoenix, in a rural area. The night temps here have gotten to freezing a couple of times (I've only lived in Arizona for about 1.5 years), and I certainly wouldn't leave it outdoors in winter. Right now the temps at night are still getting into the 40's, and day temps have been ranging from mid-60's to low 80's to sometimes anywhere in the 70's. Currently I have it indoors in a southern window with a mini-blind that I have the slats partially opened so it can get light throughout the day; daytime temp in my house doesn't get about 70 or 71 and night time, 67 or 68. Can it tolerate more sun? Also it came in a plastic pot; does it need to be repotted anytime soon? What about humidity? Thanks again for all the help...I should take a picture to post ☺

starwhiz · #4 03-02-2012, 01:41 AM

Hello, as far as I know, like WhiteRabbit says, cymbs like lots of light to bloom (also changes in temp may force it to bloom). I know successful Cymbs growers in Cali which I think because they have the California sunshine. good luck!

WhiteRabbit · #5 03-02-2012, 03:28 PM

Where you have it is fine for now, but I believe it is difficult to get most Cyms enough light to bloom in a window - but I don't know about your summer heat. Cyms generally tolerate heat pretty well if shaded by late morning, but I'm not sure how much for how long. If indoors, the brightest, sunniest window you have. They are generally considered to be moderate to high humidity, but mine are ok with the fairly low humidity we have in summer, tho we probably aren't quite as dry as Phoenix area, and the humidity does go up at night here.

Should be fine outside in winter if that's what you want to do, mine are outside year round, just protected from frost/freeze especially if they have buds.

I like to repot new plants - you can do it now, or in spring-summer. Cut off any dead roots. I use a mix of medium and fine fir bark, perlite, and some styro packing pnuts. Cyms aren't too picky, pot and media should drain well, but retain moisture, so most people pot in plastic nursery pots. A warning - when you plan to repot, be prepared to spend some time at it - Cyms can get masses of long, fat roots that wind around the pot, making it a bit time consuming. (I just like to give people a heads-up on that before hand. Over time, I have seen a few times people posting on here that they went to repot a Cym unprepared for that, and a bit intimidated by it. - It's not really hard, just can't usually be done in 15 minutes lol)
There's good repotting, and culture info here : Cymbidium Society of America: Cymbidium Culture

and videos on youtube : how to repot cymbidium - YouTube
(I haven't watched any of these, so can't recommend any particular one, sorry)

The Mutant · #6 03-02-2012, 04:51 PM

This is a great thread! I'm not eying this genera (or Paphiopedilum), noooo not at all, it's all in your minds.

:

Just a general question which has nothing with me wanting to buy a Cymbidium in a couple of years or so (depending on how well I can grow my Phals); how will it fare in an east facing window but with some extra light and the possibility to spend the entire late spring - summer - early autumn outside on a balcony (also facing east)? Would a Cym be able to thrive during such conditions or would it be to warm indoors, not enough light outdoors etc.? I have the possibility to raise the humidity to moderate and high (it's all a question about the amount of towels tossed onto the radiator

) so I think that the humidity isn't an issue at least...

Bud · #7 03-02-2012, 04:54 PM

Phoenix area can be really hot and dry in the summers...thats when you need your Cyms indoors...but if you have a shaded patio area, then it might not burn( 10am to 3pm direct sunlight will burn the leaves) water more in summer
but as of right now; the Phoenix area can be very beneficial for your orchid if you put it out doors...there is no frost anymore this time of year and the cold night in Phoenix will be tolerated by Cyms...I just breezed in your city by by car and at 3am to 4am coming from LA going to El Paso, TX...I was only wearing a t-shirt while filling up for gas...it was a nice stretch out and a stop over....but then again: I am a New Yorker and I am used to the freezing temps of the eastcoast...Phoenix temps is an early summer breeze for me.

WhiteRabbit · #8 03-03-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mutant

This is a great thread! I'm not eying this genera (or Paphiopedilum), noooo not at all, it's all in your minds.

:

Just a general question which has nothing with me wanting to buy a Cymbidium in a couple of years or so (depending on how well I can grow my Phals); how will it fare in an east facing window but with some extra light and the possibility to spend the entire late spring - summer - early autumn outside on a balcony (also facing east)? Would a Cym be able to thrive during such conditions or would it be to warm indoors, not enough light outdoors etc.? I have the possibility to raise the humidity to moderate and high (it's all a question about the amount of towels tossed onto the radiator

) so I think that the humidity isn't an issue at least...

Most of my Cyms grow in front of my house, getting morning (eastern) light and do great! In summer they get light aaaallll morning. When sun is more to the south (fall-winter) they get a lot more shade, but apparently getting the light they do during summer is sufficient.

I think many people who can't grow them outdoors year round have them outside from after last threat of frost in spring until first threat of frost in fall, at which time they have hopefully already begun spikes. So sounds like what you have in mind could be do-able. They do like a lot of light, but don't need full sun all day.

I would guess that being in Sweden, you get quite a lot of sun in summer lol - and supplemental lighting in winter might be appreciated.

I'd give it a go if I were you, just try an inexpensive plant to start with and see how that goes.

Bud · #9 03-03-2012, 02:52 AM

Mutant...I have two Cyms...the mini and the large one...both of them grow out on the fire escape of my building in spring/summer up til near frost in Fall...then gets indoors just in time for it to flower...and to winter on the brighter side of the bathroom window...when I shower in the morning it loves the hot steam..then it enjoys the cool nights as I leave the window slightly open to let the soft winter breeze in

The Mutant · #10 03-03-2012, 05:18 AM

Thanks Sonya! Then I'll do just as I planned and do as you suggested and get an inexpensive one to start with. But first my Phals has to give me an A in caretaking before I dare to move on to more difficult genera.

Thanks Bud. If I cracked open the window in winter though, I have a feeling I would have one rather deep frozen Cym on my hands. We have had a very mild winter this year, but the temperature can drop to -20C (-4F) and below so open windows during winter is probably not such a good idea.