Question re lack of blooms with Cymbidium

[mdmd409]

Hi, Try to make a long story short. Got a Cymbidium in April 2009 with about 8-9 pseudobulbs filling a pot 6.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches deep (about 1 gal?). Repotted it into 3 similar sized pots (6.5 x 6.5) in May and then left them outside (So. NJ) thru Sept. In late Sept found that they were doing well but I was using regular potting mix not orchid potting mix so I changed most of the soil to orchid mix which was much more porous. Took them in in Oct and they all are doing great. Pots have 2 to 4 mature pseudobulbs and 2 to 6 new spikes that started in the fall and at least one, possibly 2 could be repotted in the spring as they are 1/2 inch from the side of the pot. Did I screw it up by repotting? Is there a chance for flowers, I don't see any inflorescens? Will I have to wait til next year? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Mike

[Zoi2]

Are buds not forming on your 2 to 6 spikes? I'm not sure I understand your question.
Joann

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by mdmd409

...Pots have 2 to 4 mature pseudobulbs and 2 to 6 new spikes that started in the fall...

Is there a chance for flowers, I don't see any inflorescens? Will I have to wait til next year?

I'm not quite sure I follow either.

Did the "2 to 6 new spikes" flower for you already? Did they stop growing for you? Did they form buds and then turn yellow and fall off?

If you have "2 to 6 spikes", you have 2 to 6 inflorescences.

Technically speaking, a spike is a type of inflorescence.

Here's a guide to the different kinds of inflorescences of flowering plants:

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/botan...s/bm_22-02.jpg

The inflorescence of a Cymbidium is technically called a raceme. But most people just generically (and incorrectly) call it a "spike".

[mdmd409]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Are buds not forming on your 2 to 6 spikes? I'm not sure I understand your question.
Joann

Sorry for the confusion. In one pot with 3 original pseudobulbs there are 4 new spikes which are appear to be new pseudobulbs but younger and a little shorter, but growing. There are no buds anywhere. I am now with 3 separate pots, all look similar, i.e., 3 or so original pseudobulbs and at least 2 but as many as 5 new spikes that look like they are young, shortened (but will grow) pseudobulbs. Mature leaves are 25 inches, new are about 14 inches. No real pseudobulbs at the base of the juniors yet but they look otherwise identical. Maybe spike is the wrong word to describe them? Mike

[mdmd409]

[QUOTE=King_of_orchid_growing;283752]I'm not quite sure I follow either.

Did the "2 to 6 new spikes" flower for you already? Did they stop growing for you? Did they form buds and then turn yellow and fall off?

If you have "2 to 6 spikes", you have 2 to 6 inflorescences.

THank you for the information. The new 'spikes' are 2 in one pot 5 in a second and 4 in the 3rd pot. They look like new pseudobulbs, without the pseudobulbs, so far. They are growing very well. The pots are bushy. But there are no flowers or buds anywhere to be found. These appear to be additional pseudobulbs which I called spikes. Hope this helps you to help me. Mike

[BikerDoc5968]

I think the confusion is in the word you're using: "Spike" vs "Pseudobulb" I believe what you mean to say is your divisions are growing new pseudobulbs. Since you repotted twice this past year, it is possible that your plants are still a little "shocked" for the ordeal and you might have to wait until next season for spikes. Spikes on Cymbidiums are more thin than a new PB and have a sheath from which the spike will emerge much like Cattleya.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you're referring to the "pointy green things" that come out from the bottom of a pseudobulb that will not form a "spike", but rather will form a new pseudobulb with leaves, those are called shoots.

The new growths that will eventually form the raceme is much thinner than the shoot that will form a new pseudobulb.

Have you ever had a Cymbidium bloom for you before?

[mdmd409]

[QUOTE=BikerDoc5968;283853]I think the confusion is in the word you're using: "Spike" vs "Pseudobulb" I believe what you mean to say is your divisions are growing new pseudobulbs. Since you repotted twice this past year, it is possible that your plants are still a little "shocked" for the ordeal and you might have to wait until next season for spikes. Spikes on Cymbidiums are more thin than a new PB and have a sheath from

I think you are correct. I said spike but should have said they appear to be new PB's. I also think you are correct that I will have to wait untill next year. If I were to repot again this spring, into larger pots, would this be bad? Thank you in advance for your help. Mike

[mdmd409]

In a word NO. This is my first Cymbidium. It was one and is now 3 pots and looks like I will need to repot in the spring as it is close to the front of the pot with the new shoots and they are not full size yet. Only will do it once this time. Thank you for your input. Mike

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No problem.

You'll notice the difference when they bloom for you.