Cyms ending blooming, now what?

[Orquiadicto]

I've had them outside since summer is over. In the beginning they got rained a few times, but now I've changed them to another balcony that's protected from rain, but not from cold. They do not receive as much light as before, though.
Two of them are starting to show some new life. I guess it's new growths, but on one of them I have a doubt. The growth on the fourth picture (the first 4 pictures are from the same cym), could that be a spike?
Sorry for the poor quality. My camera isn't very good for close ups (not sure if it's the camera or the photographer).

[Vanda lover]

It is difficult to tell if it is a new growth or a spike. They look similar but I have found that the spikes are slightly rounder and plumper. I can feel the difference by touching them. It is important to ripen the bulbs by giving them full sun in the fall.

[Cym Ladye]

These appear to all be new growths, which is good for the plant if it just recently finished blooming. What are your day/night high/lows? If your temperatures are not going below freezing, keep the plants outside in the sunniest area (short of burning the leaves) you have for the winter. Rain is good! Bringing them in and out totally confuses them. Cymbidiums are not "Hot house petunias"!

CL

[Orquiadicto]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

These appear to all be new growths, which is good for the plant if it just recently finished blooming. What are your day/night high/lows? If your temperatures are not going below freezing, keep the plants outside in the sunniest area (short of burning the leaves) you have for the winter. Rain is good! Bringing them in and out totally confuses them. Cymbidiums are not "Hot house petunias"!

CL

Our day hights are approx. 55-60, the night lows about 40-45. They are always outside, but under roof. Soon I'll be moving from my apartment to a house with garden, where I'll be able to put them outside under a tree. I'll just have to check where the shadow is on the hottest hours (though the sun isn't that hot anymore to cause sunburn). Won't the roots rot if the medium is wet all the time due to rain?
What fertilizer should I use right now? I'm thinking on getting some Growmore 30-10-10 and in late summer, or autumn change to 6-30-30. I hope I'll get a lot of new growths which would mean that perhaps I'll also get a lot of spikes.

[Cym Ladye]

Do not worry about winter rain if they can get sun. They will not burn in the winter. Mine are outside all winter long and thrive.

Skip the fertilizing for now or, if they are in the rain, give them a measure of a slow release 12-12-12 if it makes you feel better. I do not generally fertilize during our cold wet winter, but start again when the weather warms up.

CL

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Orquiadicto

Won't the roots rot if the medium is wet all the time due to rain?

Like Cym Ladye, my Cyms are also out in the rain, and that can sometimes be a lot of rain fairly often, and unless the pots are standing in water, haven't had any problems.

I believe (tho could be mistaken), that slow release fertilizer isn't usable to the plants at temps under 70F. Mine get some of this type in spring, and seem to do fine with no fertilizer in winter.

[Vanda lover]

I continue to feed mine in the winter because the plant continues to grow and they seem to be fairly heavy feeders. I give time release in the spring, but in the winter I feed them regular soluble once a month or so.
They don't seem as prone to root rot as some orchids, but I was given a pot of cyms that was wet and the roots were bad.

[Orquiadicto]

Great to learn they can withstand rain. Here, normally temperatures won't go under 32 F, so they will be outside all winter. I'll put them in full sun so they get plenty of light now the sun isn't strong enough to cause sunburn. I'll keep you posted.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

I continue to feed mine in the winter because the plant continues to grow and they seem to be fairly heavy feeders. I give time release in the spring, but in the winter I feed them regular soluble once a month or so.
.....

Feeding lightly all winter is generally recommended on most fertilizer labels and for most fertilizer programs, but the plants will not be growing as rapidly during cold weather and therefore will not be absorbing any fertilizer at the rates they do during warm weather.

Because most of my plants are outside, I let Mother Nature handle the watering and therefore I cut way back on watering with fertilizer. There is generally a dry period in Jan and I will fertilize lightly then, but the temps are still cold.

CL

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Feeding lightly all winter is generally recommended on most fertilizer labels and for most fertilizer programs, but the plants will not be growing as rapidly during cold weather and therefore will not be absorbing any fertilizer at the rates they do during warm weather.

Because most of my plants are outside, I let Mother Nature handle the watering and therefore I cut way back on watering with fertilizer. There is generally a dry period in Jan and I will fertilize lightly then, but the temps are still cold.

CL

I agree. Most orchids should be fertilized less in winter. The only ones that I fertilize weakly weekly year round are the vandas.