It followed me home from the show, can I keep it?

[DVanVorous]

The wife and I need to set a budget when going to the local society shows

Also picked up a cymbidium. Any thoughts on care and feeding?

[rbarata]

That's not s Cymbidium but a Paphiopedilum instead.
That one is a warm grower, which I never have grown. So, I'll wait for the experienced friends info.

[DVanVorous]

Originally Posted by rbarata

That's not s Cymbidium but a Paphiopedilum instead.
That one is a warm grower, which I never have grown. So, I'll wait for the experienced friends info.

The pic is 1 of 2 we got at the show didn' t post a pic of the cymbidium but since you mentioned it...

Like I said the wife and I need to set a budget when we go to the shows...

[rbarata]

Ok, first of all, in my climate Cymbs are grown best outdoors. In Montana I think it won't be possible, at least in winter.
These are huge plants.
To bloom they need to get cool temps, near freezing, but they won't tolerate any frost.
They like lots of water and fertilizer.
Medium with good drainage (coarse bark is best).
Basically that's it.

The indications I gave you are based on my experienced with them in my climate.
I'm not sure if any of us here is from Montana amd growing Cymbs but I'm sure someone from a colder climate will give you some sugestions.

[DVanVorous]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Ok, first of all, in my climate Cymbs are grown best outdoors. In Montana I think it won't be possible, at least in winter.
These are huge plants.
To bloom they need to get cool temps, near freezing, but they won't tolerate any frost.
They like lots of water and fertilizer.
Medium with good drainage (coarse bark is best).
Basically that's it.

The indications I gave you are based on my experienced with them in my climate.
I'm not sure if any of us here is from Montana amd growing Cymbs but I'm sure someone from a colder climate will give you some sugestions.

The plant is from a hobby grower thats a member of the Orchid society that put on the show in Bozeman, MT this past weekend. Ditto the Paph is from the same grower.

Game plan is to take it outside this summer and let it winter over in the sun room/dining room where the rest of my warm climate plants reside. The info about feeding and water you gave is probably where I messed up with the last cymb I had. Lots of green no flowers...

[rbarata]

...let it winter over in the sun room/dining room where the rest of my warm climate plants reside.

Does that room has near freezing temps in winter? If not, it won't bloom.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Does that room has near freezing temps in winter? If not, it won't bloom.

Some Cyms have been bred for "warmth tolerance" meaning that they will bloom with less of a cool-down than the usual ones. So it really depends on the parentage of this one. If it came from a local person who grew and bloomed it, could be OK. That person will be a very valuable resource for consultation.

[Dollythehun]

I leave mine outside until the last possible second. If you can stay on top of it, you'll have blooms. Both very nice.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Some Cyms have been bred for "warmth tolerance" meaning that they will bloom with less of a cool-down than the usual ones. So it really depends on the parentage of this one. If it came from a local person who grew and bloomed it, could be OK. That person will be a very valuable resource for consultation.

True, but I see it as the exception. Maybe this is one of those.

That person will be a very valuable resource for consultation.

I agree, Montana's climate is completely different from mine/ours that it might be difficult to give advice without knowing the environmental conditions DVanVorous can provide and the genetic background of the plant.

[Mountaineer370]

That is a beautiful Paph!