Do Cyms need fertiliser in the winter

[RosieC]

I've been letting my Cym cool down as the weather has cooled down. Before I moved it into the greenhouse (which I keep cool, only heating to stop frost) it had got a lot of rain and I hadn't fertilised because it was getting so much water I didn't want to give it more.

Anyway, now it's under cover I'm wondering if I should be fertilising when I water. I'm watering less anyway, because it's drying slower but just wondering if it's like some other orchids in needing less fertiliser as well.

(I have noted 3 new points coming up... too small to tell if they are new lead growths or spikes as yet, but it's more the spike time of year I think).

[Paul Mc]

That's a good question. I've been wondering the same thing with my Cymbidium, and it has new growths on it as well. My research indicates that you are correct in believing they are spikes, but I thought I had some last year and they turned out to only new leaves.

Best of luck to you! Hope you get flowers soon!

[Bobfharris]

The basic answer is yes they do need fertilizer, just not as much. Usually I reduce the amount by 50% in winter, especially the Nitrogen. Once the grow spikes start again it's time to raise the Nitrogen amounts.

[RosieC]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep adding a bit of fertilisier then. I hope the growths turn out to be spikes, but growth is also good

[Hedge]

Thanks for asking this question, Rosie, I've been wondering the same thing!! Mine all have points, and I think they are going to be new pbulbs, but keep crossing your fingers for flowers, PLEASE....

[poilichu]

I use the growmore fertilizer 6-30-30 from
Sept to Feb. I fertilized less when the weather turn cold--- once a month. I read it somewhere if you use fertilizer with high nitrogen at this time. the plant will have new leave spike instead of flower spike.

[RosieC]

Thanks Poilichu, I'll remember that.

Hopefully Heather we'll both get spikes, we'll have to see

[camille1585]

I use less fertilizer as well. In the summer it gets somewhere around 175-200 ppm N since Cyms tend to be hungry plants, then in the winter I bring it down to about 125, and only every other watering. Since I keep my cyms quite cool (around 12C), they usually only need water every 3 weeks or so. This year I'm not seeing any spikes sadly, but since I was away this summer my family took care of them. They didn't get fertilized very much, and got zero epsom salts (which I add since our tap water is poor in magnesium and calcim, add because it's supposed to help stimulate blooming). I did repot my monster cym, as it's pot (26cm diameter) was about to burst from all the roots. We'll see next year!

[RosieC]

Thanks Camille,

I fear I didn't fertilise enough over the summer so maybe I'll miss flowers this year (it kept getting too much rain so I didn't like to water again when it was already not drying much).

Anyway, I'll fertlise a bit but not too much over the winter and we'll see how it does.

[Hedge]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Thanks Camille,

I fear I didn't fertilise enough over the summer so maybe I'll miss flowers this year (it kept getting too much rain so I didn't like to water again when it was already not drying much).

Anyway, I'll fertlise a bit but not too much over the winter and we'll see how it does.

SNAP!! Mine were bereft of fertiliser too for the same reason