C.mastersii x C.sinense advise

[protium]

I will be receiving my first Cymbidium as a gift in a few days. It is a hybrid between C.mastersii x C.sinense.

From what I have read it sounds like Cymbidiums in general like bright light and cool temperatures. I was wondering if any one can give me a little advise for growing this particular orchid, or Cymbidiums in general for that matter.

Could this plant be grown successfully under fluorescent lighting?

[smweaver]

Fluorescent lighting might be a bit too low for cymbidiums. Mine take direct early morning sun from about 7 A.M. to noon, followed by bright indirect light for the rest of the day during the growing season. They get watered a lot too, with moderate amounts of fertilizer. I live in a climate that's hot and very humid during the summer. If your temperatures are more moderate during the summer, you can probably get away with giving them even more light. During the winter give them as much direct light as possible, let them dry out a bit between waterings and try to keep the temperatures cool, especially at night and when the plants are in spike (warm night temperatures tend to make many cymbidiums drop their buds, especially those hybrids that are derived from cooler-growing species). Don't be anxious to bring the plants inside when temperatures start to drop during the Fall. The plants need the cooler nights to initiate spikes, and I usually don't bring them inside unless the overnight temperatures are predicted to fall below 40 degrees F.

[protium]

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately I am on the 9th floor of an apartment building with northern exposure and being in Canada we are already getting frost warnings outside.

It was a gift from a friend that knows I am interested in Orchids. Unfortunately I may not be able to give it a good home

Well hopefully I can keep it alive until I am in a better location.

[wonderlen3000]

You need at least east or south exposure. sinesii is a warm growing one and mastersii is the cooler growing so, it should do well in intermediate temperature. And Cym. like at least 5-10'C temp flautuation between day and night. I used to grown mine in apartment too and most really struggle because the temp is always the same. If you can adjust it, ex. make it cooler at night it might bloom.

Or you can put it on balcony, from May till frost, it should flower.