Bought Cymbidium - Any personal advice?

[greengarden]

I would put them outdoors. In Aus we grow them outside under the patio or under trees all along the east coast. They like lots of sun, give them as much as possible without completely frying them and they will flower well for you They will still grow well in the shade but won't flower as well.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by greengarden

I would put them outdoors. In Aus we grow them outside under the patio or under trees all along the east coast. They like lots of sun, give them as much as possible without completely frying them and they will flower well for you They will still grow well in the shade but won't flower as well.

Exactly how much sun can handle?

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[greengarden]

I grow them at the edge of my patio, they get sun until about 2pm and then they are shaded from the hot afternoon sun, this seems to suit them well here.

I don't know whether there is some other factor at play here(maybe to do with having been raised in greenhouses for many generations in the states or something else) but it seems to me that people over there often see cymbids as quite a finicky plant to grow whereas over here they are one that almost anyone can keep alive, I've dragged old ones that people have thrown away out in the bush and just thrown them in a pot and they come good.

I'm not sure that it's necessarily a climate thing either. Sure I understand if you are in an area with very extreme temps but in my experience they don't need anywhere near the requirements mentioned by Stray. My nan grows them in her garden in Melbourne where summer temps can hit 115F and in winter can be down in the 30sF and humidity isn't high, in summer only around 45% and in winter in the 60s. I grow them here where we get similiar temps but much higher humidity, around 70-80% at the moment(in mid summer). They honestly don't seem to care. I grow them next to oncidiums, dendrobiums and masdevellias.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by greengarden

I grow them at the edge of my patio, they get sun until about 2pm and then they are shaded from the hot afternoon sun, this seems to suit them well here.

I don't know whether there is some other factor at play here(maybe to do with having been raised in greenhouses for many generations in the states or something else) but it seems to me that people over there often see cymbids as quite a finicky plant to grow whereas over here they are one that almost anyone can keep alive, I've dragged old ones that people have thrown away out in the bush and just thrown them in a pot and they come good.

I'm not sure that it's necessarily a climate thing either. Sure I understand if you are in an area with very extreme temps but in my experience they don't need anywhere near the requirements mentioned by Stray. My nan grows them in her garden in Melbourne where summer temps can hit 115F and in winter can be down in the 30sF and humidity isn't high, in summer only around 45% and in winter in the 60s. I grow them here where we get similiar temps but much higher humidity, around 70-80% at the moment(in mid summer). They honestly don't seem to care. I grow them next to oncidiums, dendrobiums and masdevellias.

I'm not too worried... they seem relatively fuss free in my area... I was just worried that the spot I have picked out still have to much sun but after hearing this I think they will be fine.



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[Stray59]

greengarden:
As I said - I have killed a lot of 'bids, so maybe I am looking at them as too finicky and have "baby-ed" them too much. Cultured them to death, so to speak. Darn, -- I do not need another variety to add to my collection and thinking of them as troublesome kept me from venturing back into their seductive clutches!
It also could be that the current varieties have been bred up from what I had, for as I mentioned before, my experience was over 30 years ago. At that time, a miniature one was just being offered on the market and was somewhat of a freak - all of mine were about 3 -4 foot tall - the older standards.
You mentioned that the temp often hit 115 degree - is there is breeze or high humidity there? Where I lived at the time, Southern Illinois, we would often hit 100 degree, the humidity would be 70-80 percent and there would be NO air movement; here in central Indiana ( a little further north) it will be like this, but not quite so bad. But if it rains, the water will just stand for hours with no evaporation as the air is already saturated. It is really intolerable to be outside at times, not so much from the heat, but the humidity and no breeze at all. It feels like you are breathing water. Many of the orchids here will suffer in the summer due to this, often developing fungus and such, so I often would bring the most delicate ones inside during what we call "dog-days" of summer.
And again, I was very inexperienced in general at the time and could very well have made them more difficult than they may actually have been.
Your post is good news for Cymbidium growers, but dang - I do not need to be looking for Cymbidiums at this time!! And I know me - if Trader Joe's or somewhere else get them inexpensively, my love affair will begin again.
Thanks for the info greengarden - no, really - thanks.....I mean it......thanks a lot.... nothing I love more than having to make MORE room on my shelves and have less money in my account......!!!!
All joking aside - good info to have.
Steve

[silken]

I put mine out in spring along a south wall of the garage as soon as there is no more danger of frosts. When they are in active growth, they are fairly good feeders so I give them a good balanced fertilizer and water whenever they approach dryness. Having said that, they don't get a lot of attention all summer and if it rains, they get wet. they seem to thrive in the sun, breezes and rain. In fall, when it is close to freezing at night I bring them into a greenhouse for the winter. They sit near the patio door where it is around 60 or 65 in the day and around 50 at night. The cold temps hardens off the new growths and induces spikes. These have been reliable bloomers for me for several years now with this treatment. These are the larger standard Cyms. The smaller ones are more tolerant of warm temps and may not tolerate such cool temps. I don't have the miniature Cyms.

From what I hear, most people can't give them enough light in the house to bloom well.

[Stray59]

THANK YOU silken -
That's what I will tell myself - I can't give them enough light in the house.
I am indebted to you!!
Steve
Good info BTW!

[silken]

Originally Posted by Stray59

THANK YOU silken -
That's what I will tell myself - I can't give them enough light in the house.
I am indebted to you!!
Steve
Good info BTW!

Well, in my experience they seem to thrive on benign neglect. When I say they are against a south wall, they don't get extreme sun all day as there are some trees that filter at certain times. But it is a fair bit and the wall heats up quite a bit. No problem for my NOID Cyms. And in the winter they don't get as much light because there is snow on the roof of the greenhouse although sun does reflect well off the snow outside the patio door. But I think the sun they got in the summer and fall has already done the job of helping to induce the spikes so the lower levels thru winter are not a problem. Some years I've hung a T5 over them, but not this year and I still got 2 spikes per plant.

If the leaves are quite long and lanky and dark green, it is an indication of not enough light. They should be a medium green and not grow too long and limp. Mine definitely lighten up over summer.

[fukuchan5459]

Mine is medium to dark green for now. I put it in west facing window with blinds. (no direct sun).

Hopefully it will be a good place to grow for the next couple of months before I take it outside.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by fukuchan5459

Mine is medium to dark green for now. I put it in west facing window with blinds. (no direct sun).

Hopefully it will be a good place to grow for the next couple of months before I take it outside.

That should be fine. Mine don't get much light this time of year. And less light helps keep the blooms keep their color longer. Just be sure to gradually introduce it to stronger/more light when you do.

During summer, mine take full sun all morning.