My first flowering Cymbidium

[Ethan]

I have to admit this is pure luck - I got this cymbidium at Smith & Hawkins last January and it had four spikes on it. I left it in the greenhouse all summer and it never got temperatures below 55 degrees. I thought for sure it wouldn't flower this year, but I guess I was wrong. These flowers just started opening a week or so before Christmas. The only thing is, there is only one spike this year. Anyone have any thoughts on how I can get more spikes next year? It is a pretty mature plant - aprox 20 pseudobulbs total. The thing is, I don't know exactly what kind of cymbidium it is, so I don't know specifically what care it needs!

[Tommyr]

CONGRATS! She's a beauty! I have a Maureen Carter starting to open, Pics soon!

[Don Perusse]

Ethan it is a beautiful orchid and a georgeous plant. I envy you cold area growers as the cyms. do so well there. There are warm growers, but they take up too much room for my little greenhouse. I love to look at them tho......thanks!

[britishbulldog]

Hi Ethan....what fantastic green flowers.The plant looks great too.I wouldn't change anything culturally-if she had 4 spikes last year maybe she just needs to take it easy this year and will come back in full force next year!!
Simon

[orchids3]

If it were my plant I would give it more light. Should be a grass green or a little yellow green - not so dark green.
Its a pretty flower ok - good luck.

[Cym Ladye]

Ethan ,

Your lovely green Cymbidium appears to be a Standard from the size of the flowers to the foliage as shown in the photo. However, your count of 20 pseudobulbs is not typical of a standard in that size pot. In any case, it is treated the same as the Novelties and Miniatures and the majority of the species. It is unfortunate that you do not have the name of the plant, as it is a lovely color with VERY GOOD form. I suspect a mericlone of an Australian import but certainly cannot say for certain.

It is not unusual to have a plant, which was purchased from a commercial source with multiple spikes one year, "take a Holiday" the next. The commercial growers all push the plants with optimal fertilizers and conditions. I always repot my new acquisitions immediately after they have finished blooming to put them in my own media of choice for my environment.

I suspect that Orchids3 was referring to the leaf color and not the flower color when the reference was made to dark green vs yellow green. High light to a green in bud or in spike will accomplish the same yellowing and in this case, would diminish the quality of this bloom. Rule of thumb is for high light during the growing season and shade the spike when it breaks sheath for best color during the bloom period.

Good Luck,

CL

[dounoharm]

what a fabulous color! i love green flowers!!

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Beautiful flowers Ethan.

Cym Ladye - Thanks for that information! That is going to help me out a lot in the coming year with the 3 cyms I have.

[Ethan]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Ethan ,

Your lovely green Cymbidium appears to be a Standard from the size of the flowers to the foliage as shown in the photo. However, your count of 20 pseudobulbs is not typical of a standard in that size pot. In any case, it is treated the same as the Novelties and Miniatures and the majority of the species. It is unfortunate that you do not have the name of the plant, as it is a lovely color with VERY GOOD form. I suspect a mericlone of an Australian import but certainly cannot say for certain.

It is not unusual to have a plant, which was purchased from a commercial source with multiple spikes one year, "take a Holiday" the next. The commercial growers all push the plants with optimal fertilizers and conditions. I always repot my new acquisitions immediately after they have finished blooming to put them in my own media of choice for my environment.

I suspect that Orchids3 was referring to the leaf color and not the flower color when the reference was made to dark green vs yellow green. High light to a green in bud or in spike will accomplish the same yellowing and in this case, would diminish the quality of this bloom. Rule of thumb is for high light during the growing season and shade the spike when it breaks sheath for best color during the bloom period.

Good Luck,

CL

Hi Cym Ladye!

First, I want to say thanks so much for the info - what a great help!

I just went out to the greenhouse to take some measurements to make sure I wasn't exaggerating. Here's what I got:

flowers are each 4'' x 3''
spike is 2' tall
I counted 18 pseudobulbs (not all are mature)
It's planted in a 12'' pot.


The flowers are very large so I'm guessing it's a standard. I'm not really familiar with cymbidiums and this is my only one.

It is a shame there is no tag that came with it. It seems Smith and Hawken doesn't name their orchids. Normally I wouldn't buy an orchid from them, but I had a gift certificate and it was staring at me begging me to take it home.

What you said about nurseries pushing their plants to get them in bloom makes total sense. I had wondered about that myself - maybe it explains why all of my catts. I've bought in the last year haven't flowered yet!

I did a google search on green cymbidiums and came up with dozens of different ones...none of which look identical to mine. I realize I will never know the name of this one so I will resort to just enjoying it.

Thanks again for the info, Cym Ladye and thanks everyone for the compliments - Happy growing!

[orchids3]

Yes you are right CL I did mean the foliage should be yellow green. Pot plant producer push plants out to sell and really dont care what happons to them after they bloom. Often the potting material is not intended to sustain the plant. By all means repot.