Cymbidium Tommy 'Sweet Lime'

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Gorgeous, OW! Nicely bloomed.

Thanks, I really like Cymbidiums.

I used to think "own just one, they get too big" but since they mostly grow outside, it may not be an issue.

I need ones that are "southern tolerant" though; getting them through a Georgia winter, no problem, not sure about a Georgia summer. I may look for another sometime soon though.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I need ones that are "southern tolerant" though; getting them through a Georgia winter, no problem, not sure about a Georgia summer. I may look for another sometime soon though.

All they need is a little shading at mid-day. Hot muggy nights are more of an issue in places where a fall cool-down doesn't happen. I think that you do start to get cool nights in mid-September or sooner, that's all they need to set spikes. The term "warmth-tolerant" Cymbidium really applies to those that don't need that autumn cool-down to bloom... I can't think of a hybrid Cym that can't manage triple-digit F. summer temperatures. My very first orchid was a gift from a co-worker who lived in an inland area where summers are like that. (Difference between southern California inland summer heat and Georgia summer heat is more about humidity (in your area, absent in mine) . The person who gave me that first Cym grew them under a big deciduous tree. Shading in the summer when they need to have the edge taken off the noonday blast, and more sun in the fall/winter when they need it to bloom.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Sorry for a slight hi jack but what are some of those cyms?

I have zero experience and I really dig their flowers and structure so what are some of the warmer leaning ones that I could cut my teeth on

Basically. Good warm weather, beginner cyms

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Sorry for a slight hi jack but what are some of those cyms?

I have zero experience and I really dig their flowers and structure so what are some of the warmer leaning ones that I could cut my teeth on

Basically. Good warm weather, beginner cyms

I don't know the newer hybrids, but I know that Andy Easton of New Horizon Orchids (from New Zealand, then California, now in Colombia) has a whole breeding program devoted to the so-called "warmth-tolerant" hybrids... One of the long-time most prolific hybridizers in the world.

According to the website, he has been working with an "associate in Florida" on these hybrids. Doesn't say who but you can probably find whoever it is... You can email Andy Easton and find out what might be offered at Florida shows. I have a few late-summer-early-fall Cyms that have to be in this category because obviously they bloom before the cool-down. But I'm guessing... the ones that more recently have been bred for places like Florida have great form and color (he has a forum on the website, often shows what he has recently bloomed). So look for these for the best chance of having Cyms that work in your climate.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Close up, just for you, WW!

Attachment 142314

Just lovely OW. That white contrast is exactamente what I wanted to see up close. So many of the green cymbs have a reddish color in the middle, which I don't care for. This is the way a green cymb should look.

[Cym Ladye]

What you call the "reddish color in the center" are the markings on the lip. There are alba or concolor forms which show no red in the flower or on the lip.

There are other breeders of warmth and heat tolerant Cyms., several easily competing with the efforts of Easton with better form, clean colors, fragrance and more variety. Bob Harris of the Orchidpeople of Hawaii is one. Check the website.

It never hurts to shop around. Santa Barbara Orchid Estate in Santa Barbara, CA also has some older varieties. Most ship.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The person who gave me that first Cym grew them under a big deciduous tree. Shading in the summer when they need to have the edge taken off the noonday blast, and more sun in the fall/winter when they need it to bloom.

Yep, I do something similar with mine. In summer it sits on a stump at the edge of my woods (left after we did some tree removal last year). East sun, then indirect light the rest of the day. In fall/winter/spring it sits in the sunniest spot possible, that does not freeze, and hopefully where the squirrels won't eat the pseudobulbs. Comes indoors just for blooming, or really cold weather.

[AnonYMouse]

Is this one fragrant?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Is this one fragrant?

Sorry, no fragrance that I can detect. As much as I do like fragrance, I'm still pretty happy with this plant, even fragrance-free.