Spike or new growth

[iloveorchids88]

After several months of acquiring this Cymbidium Spark Sprite I finally see something emerging but what is it ? This is my first Cymbidium. There also seems be be a growth to the right of the red growth

[Shadeflower]

the growth next to the red growth is nothing, I'd guess it's part of that bulb leaf.
The red growth is a new bulb for sure.

From my understanding of cymbidiums is they produce new bulbs this time of year which grow over winter. If they grow big enough then they might produce a flower spike emerging from the latest bulb but if they don't grow big enough then they need to mature a bit more so then a new bulb forms this time of year again for you to hope it grows well enough to produce a flower spike in spring.

[Shadeflower]

Hey Ilove,
it seems my understanding was wrong.
I was sure this was far too soon to be producing the flower spike already but it looks like mine might be producing a spike after all. Sorry if I got it wrong, I am new to cymbidiums myself.
Hope yours is a flower spike too.
Here is mine. I was sure it was a bulb up until it started growing a lot taller than the last bulb.

[Roberta]

I'm guessing spike... it's still early so hard to tell, but spikes tend to be round (sort of bullet shaped), new growths start to flatten out fairly quickly after emerging. And this is very definitely the time of year when spikes can be expected. (Depending on parentage, some are earlier than others. But I have a few that I already need to start staking, others just peeking out like this one. ) New growths can, and do, sometimes happen this early but for mine, most of the new growth activity happens closer to spring, spikes are more of a fall/winter/early spring phenomenon. Again, lots of exceptions to the general rule, however. It's fun to be surprised.

[stonedragonfarms]

A good 'general' rule of thumb is that cymbidium spikes develop in the axils of leaves [ie the area between the leaf and the pseudobulb]; vegetative growth usually develops from the base of the pseudobulb. Section Jensoa cymbidiums are mostly an exception to this rule, as they develop spikes below the surface of the media which appear amidst the foliage [ie goeringii] or offset from it [ie faberi]
When spikes initiate largely has to do with parentage--some of the early standards are just showing spikes now, but won't be in bloom until November and later. Warmth tolerant hybrids [ie those built on ensifolium] are spiking now in most of the northern hemisphere.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Hey Ilove,
it seems my understanding was wrong.
I was sure this was far too soon to be producing the flower spike already but it looks like mine might be producing a spike after all. Sorry if I got it wrong, I am new to cymbidiums myself.
Hope yours is a flower spike too.
Here is mine. I was sure it was a bulb up until it started growing a lot taller than the last bulb.

Outstanding, that is a beautiful new spike. Keep an eye on it... right now it is growing very straight, but as the buds develop you probably will want to stake it , and support the emerging spike if it starts to arch. You want the arch to be gentle... tragic to have one break under its own weight. I have found that later in the day, when it is warmer, the spikes are more pliable and less inclined to snap when you manipulate them, but do proceed with caution.

[Shadeflower]

I just want to share my new found passion for cymbidiums.
I still have a lot to learn about them and haven't even gotten it to flower yet but the growth has been such a pleasure.
A lot of my collection is still new and I am still figuring out which will ultimately be my favorite orchid, vanda's cymbidiums, cattleya's (unlikely to be phals or dendrobiums). So far it is a close tie between Cattleya's and Cymbidiums.
Looking at my cymbidium has given me so much joy this year. Every month it was doing something different to observe and it is a fast grower. Also bob my root protector I showed a month or so ago he lives in this pot - can't see him on the picture but he has grown and still protecting this one.
I think people are converted when seeing the flowers as I was , hopefully sooner than I thought

[rbarata]

A lot of my collection is still new and I am still figuring out which will ultimately be my favorite orchid, vanda's cymbidiums, cattleya's (unlikely to be phals or dendrobiums). So far it is a close tie between Cattleya's and Cymbidiums.

Maybe these photos help you decide.

[Roberta]

Cyms start by stealing large parts of my growing area. (And I think that maybe I should focus on something smaller) Then they steal my heart when they bloom... nothing else has quite the flower power, with blooms on those long spikes lasting for 6 weeks or even more. Happens all over again every year.

[rbarata]

Happens all over again every year.

Like clockwork!