What are these huge bulb cymbidiums?

[jmateosky]

I recently traded for several large cymbidiums ( not the regular size like my other 20+ hybrids of 1-1.5 ich bulbs). the plants are twice as large as my others they have bulbs almost 3-4"inches they previos owners said the flower spike is more than 3 feet long. I have yet to see it. Any guess what it might be or what climate it likes? they say it likes a cooler climate.

Looking for a guru, any Ideas I would appriaciate. Thanks.

Jim Mateosky
Costa Rica

[Cym Ladye]

Jim,

Welcome to the true world of Standard Cymbidiums! The hybrid cymbidiums of today originally come from the species, those plants growing wild in various parts of the world. They come in classifications of miniature and standard. Your previous plants evidently came from the miniature heritage and the new ones from the standard heritage. The standards need a cooler climate and a lot more room to grow.

For more information, check out the various growing links on this forum and come back with specific questions if you have not gotten all the info you need.

Good luck with your new acquisitions.

Cym Ladye

[orchids3]

Maybe a madidum or madidum hybrid. A lot of these have very large bulbs and pendulas spikes. Did the previous owner say wheather the spikes hand down or go up?

[jmateosky]

The said they went up. they mentioned many different colors as well reds, red/yellow, greens. Is there any generalazation with these big bulb guys as far as temperatures.

[jmateosky]

Cym Ladye,

Thanks for your help. Do you grow them in the ground? I am thinkong about growing some in the ground, my questions is how do you keep the bugs away? mainly those darn slugs?

I hear horse manure is great for these plants ( I have 2 horses ). If you use Horse M how do you keep the weeds under control?

Thanks
Jim

[orchids3]

You can grow them in the ground if you want too and others do but I sure dont recomend it in Florida. You get fusarian wilt and many other fungal, bacterial and virus diseases when they are on or near the ground. I keep every part of my cymbidiums at least 18 inches off the ground just to avoid ground contaminated water from splashing on to them.
As far as horse manure - its a good media in a lot of locations where heat and constant moisture are less of a problem than they are here. It should be collected from horses that are kept in a stable. Manure from pastured horses is often full of weed seed.

[jmateosky]

Hi I am in Costa Rica in the mountains not FL. my climate is like CA in the mountains. I am at 5000 ft so cool nights. A couple people here grow there cymb on the ground and not under a roof or shade. but keeping the creatures off of the is diff. I would like to hear some suggestions

[lambelkip]

the climate in costa rica is nothing like CA. we have more than one season. it gets cold in the winter (and snows in the mountains). the problem with growing standard cymbidiums in costa rica is that they don't get cold enough at any time during the year, and are not likely to bloom. most standard cymbidiums need temperatures around 45F (or lower) to start a flower spike. you might need to stick it in the fridge for a couple days to get it cold enough.

I'm not sure what critters you're trying to keep off the, so I can't really help with that.

[jmateosky]

The critters I do not like ? Slugs ans snails? I'd like to put 20 of the bigger plants in the ground. and creat a barrier for the slugs,snails. Any suggestions?

Jim

[lambelkip]

slug and snail bait is usually the best way to deal with snails and slugs. you can get it at a local garden center.