Is is possible for me to grow Cyms?

[orchidman77]

I live in Louisiana where it's very warm, although it's supposed to snow tonight, ironically..... anyway, I have a few questions. Can I grow cymbidiums or can I BLOOM Cymbidiums? I have read and have gleaned that cooler temps are required to induce spiking, but will they die from rather warm temperatures most of the year and hot temps in the summer??? We do get cold-ish (low 30's to high 20's) but that's about as low as it gets.

Thanks!
David

[Jerry Delaney]

I am far from being a "Cymbibium grower" David, but I don't see any reason why not. Some will depend upon if you have specific types in mind to grow. Where I live it rarely freezes but I have fair success with the pendulous types. The flowers are smaller but most of these have enough warmer growing species to do well here. I also grow some standards and they are a bit more hit and miss. If you want to try standards I would perhaps lean toward hybrids having a fair amount of parishii in their background. Oh, by the way, we average about 30 - 40 days of 100 degree plus each year and they seem to tolerate it quite well. I imagine we have a larger day to night differential than you will and that may influence the standards some. You might also try to find some of the Milton Carpenter hybrids as most of his were directed toward warmth tolerance.

[orchids3]

Jacksonville Florida where I live is probably similar to your conditions. Quit counting my cymbidium collection at 2000. It has been a longtime passion for me to find out which will grow and which will not. Have written articles for local orchid societies about how to select plants and have a list compiled of which cymbidiums will bloom here in NE Florida. If you are interested send me you E-mail address and I will sent the information too you. Selecting the right plants is very important. Culture itself is very simple. Most of mine stay in a completely enclosed shade house with only a water mist which comes on at 34 degrees to keep them from freezing. It does get below freezing here. Some of the warm tolerant species are a little less forgiving of cold than the big standards.
There is also a book "Heat Tolerant Cymbidiums" by Kobsuch Kaenratana which is quite informative.
Kobsukh grows and hybridizes cymbidiums in Bangkok Thailand.

[WhiteRabbit]

Well I am in San Francisco bay area - south bay - summer daytime temps are frequently in the 90s, occasionally into the 100s. And dry in summer! However, even on the hottest days, the temp can drop 30 or more degrees at night - and the cool air sucks in the moisture from the bay and coast, so humidity also goes up at night. Cyms do tolerate heat very well, tho may need shading especially mid-day, as well as maybe some misting in the heat.
I don't know how much your day-night temperature differential is - or if that makes a difference.
The 'cool growing' cyms do require a period of cool (around 45 I guess) moist nights to initiate spikes, so that doesn't sound like a problem for you.
The cool growers also are fine with temps to a bit below freezing for short periods, tho plants in spike or bud should be protected from freezing and frost.

I would say - give it a try - just start with an inexpensive plant lol

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[orchidman77]

Thank you all so much for the help! I do not plan to buy a large amount of these because others (that I am more partial to) will grow much better here. I just want to have a few cyms to have a nice, broad collection that I can really enjoy.

I plan to get an inexpensive cymbidium to start out with (Hausermann's has some REALLY cheap ones that look great) and then go from there!

So they don't need low night temps all year, just to initiate spikes??

Thanks!!!
David

[orchids3]

Suggest EFG Orchids at Deland Florida for a good source in this part of the country. EFG Orchids, orchids for hobby and commercial growers - Welcome as a matter of interest the owner is a grandson of the Hauserman in Illionis.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by orchidman77

Thank you all so much for the help! I do not plan to buy a large amount of these because others (that I am more partial to) will grow much better here. I just want to have a few cyms to have a nice, broad collection that I can really enjoy.

I plan to get an inexpensive cymbidium to start out with (Hausermann's has some REALLY cheap ones that look great) and then go from there!

So they don't need low night temps all year, just to initiate spikes??

Thanks!!!
David

that is my understanding - a couple weeks in the fall

definitely pick Harry's (orchids3) brain. He grows them in Florida very well, and is a great resource

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by orchids3

There is also a book "Heat Tolerant Cymbidiums" by Kobsuch Kaenratana which is quite informative.

I just searched the Internet for that book, but just your forum post comes out.

This book would be a great aid for me since I live in the tropics.

Do you know how I could grab a copy?

Thanks,

Rodrigo

[Charmkp]

Orchid3, I would also like to source a copy of the heat tolerant cym. book. Any info regarding this, please let us know.

[rodrigo]

ok, doing some more searching I found this document by Mr. Kobsukh Kaenratana:

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Rodrigo