Cym. aloifolium help needed

[dgenovese1]

I have been growing a Cym. aloifolium since last June. It is growing in well drained medium, getting high light (40-50% shade), and fertilized weekly. I water it about every 2 days. The plant has grown quite a bit this summer, and I am hoping to get it to bloom next spring. Can anyone tell me if I need to let it rest during the winter months, of if I need to do anything different with the way I have been caring for it.

The heat tolerant cyms are new to me, and I'm hoping to be successful with this one...and later on add a few more to my collection. Thanks!

[Jerry Delaney]

I'm not sure that I can be of much help David. Aloifolium is a wide spread species from the area of Southeast Asia and is a warm grower although in my hands it tolerates even the low end of intermediate temperatures. I have grown this species for probably more than 20 years. The plant can grow quite large and in my experience has been quite easy to grow and bloom. I grow it in my regular bark mix but it also does well in chc mix. I hang it high in the greenhouse so the leaf tips are only 3 - 4 inches away from the roof so it gets high light and water it right along with my Catts. I do not stop fertilizing it like the cool growing Cymbidiums. When transplanted, once the plant really gets going , you will see all kinds of "roots" poking up out of the mix. I put roots in " " because even though these weird tips come off of the roots, they don't much resemble the real roots (there is a name for this but I no longer remember what it is). I guess my advice is to treat it like a Cattylea but higher light and more moist.

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by Jerry Delaney

I'm not sure that I can be of much help David. Aloifolium is a wide spread species from the area of Southeast Asia and is a warm grower although in my hands it tolerates even the low end of intermediate temperatures. I have grown this species for probably more than 20 years. The plant can grow quite large and in my experience has been quite easy to grow and bloom. I grow it in my regular bark mix but it also does well in chc mix. I hang it high in the greenhouse so the leaf tips are only 3 - 4 inches away from the roof so it gets high light and water it right along with my Catts. I do not stop fertilizing it like the cool growing Cymbidiums. When transplanted, once the plant really gets going , you will see all kinds of "roots" poking up out of the mix. I put roots in " " because even though these weird tips come off of the roots, they don't much resemble the real roots (there is a name for this but I no longer remember what it is). I guess my advice is to treat it like a Cattylea but higher light and more moist.

Thanks Jerry! I have the perfect spot for it.

I can place it on one of the braces used to hold the vanda supports up. It'll be getting more light there, and I can water it more frequesntly than the cattleyas without worrying about getting the vandas wet when I do. I can also fertilize it there each week when I fertilize the vandas.

[Randy]

Hi Jerry,

You noted that this plant was easy to flower. I've had mine for years and it hasn't flowered once. However, I did stop fertilizing it in winter like I did with the cool growers. I will continue to fertilize it this year and will put it higher up in the greenhouse so it will get more light. Hopefully it will reward me with flowers in the spring!

I had no idea of the simple bit of information that was in your post.

Thanks!
Randy

[Bobfharris]

The real secret I found to blooming this was to have it way way crowded in the pot to where the roots were coming out all over the edge of the pot.

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by Bobfharris

The real secret I found to blooming this was to have it way way crowded in the pot to where the roots were coming out all over the edge of the pot.

Thanks Bob,

I'll remember this...my plant is still in the container I bought it in, and it looks like it needs to stay there for a year or two before attaining what you've described here. I appreciate your input.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Bobfharris

The real secret I found to blooming this was to have it way way crowded in the pot to where the roots were coming out all over the edge of the pot.

Thanks for that! I won't repot it until it flowers!

Randy