Confused about Cymbidiums

[Subrosa]

Other than my C. tortisepalum all of mine sit outside in as much sun as I can give them when frost isn't an issue. The tortisepalum reacted very badly to full sun exposure last season and is still recovering.

[Roberta]

Also a caution... unless it has been getting really bright sun in the window, move it out into full sun gradually over a period of a week or so... in general, orchids don't take kindly to abrupt changes in light, need to be acclimated a bit. If that fire escape gets full sun all day be careful... if only a few hours a day, then no problem. It's not outside temperature - they'll take what nature gives them. But high leaf temperature spike caused by a local blast of blazing sun could leave a toasted spot (which won't hurt the plant but looks unsightly) Think of going to the beach in summer... if you increase exposure gradually you can avoid sunburn but if you do it all at once it hurts.

[chiirioz]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Also a caution... unless it has been getting really bright sun in the window, move it out into full sun gradually over a period of a week or so... in general, orchids don't take kindly to abrupt changes in light, need to be acclimated a bit. If that fire escape gets full sun all day be careful... if only a few hours a day, then no problem. It's not outside temperature - they'll take what nature gives them. But high leaf temperature spike caused by a local blast of blazing sun could leave a toasted spot (which won't hurt the plant but looks unsightly) Think of going to the beach in summer... if you increase exposure gradually you can avoid sunburn but if you do it all at once it hurts.

Copy that - I figured as much. I moved them directly to the front of my brightest South facing window in the bedroom that gets direct light from 10AM - ~1 or 2PM and then just bright indirect light until 5PM. I'm going to move them outside tomorrow as I'm home for the weekend, I'll be able to monitor the movement of light for the entire day and see how it does.

Thanks so much for the advice - the winter is going to be a challenge and it's probably going to sit under light everday, but hopefully this summer we'll be able to provide the new growth with good sun.

[estación seca]

My Cym. aloifolium is in bloom. Will post photos elsewhere I hope. It came from Ray when he moved. It needs to be divided. Because it's been fine in a hot window, I'm going to try a piece outside this summer, but not in full sun. Not at first.

[rbarata]

Any of my cymbs take any sun, except in late summer afternoons (something between one and two hrs).

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Other than my C. tortisepalum all of mine sit outside in as much sun as I can give them when frost isn't an issue. The tortisepalum reacted very badly to full sun exposure last season and is still recovering.

If you read up on the natural environment for most of the Asian species, you will find they grow in the detritus beneath deciduous trees. Hence they get heavy shade and rain during the hot months and fairly bright sunlight and a humid but drier climate in the winter. Duplicate that and they will thrive for you.