Waiting for Spikes

[GardenTheater]

Last winter I got 3 Cymbidium Clarisse Austins already with red buds/blooms. It's a December/January bloomer. I'm new to Cyms and was expecting to see the spikes beginning to show by now. I keep them outdoors. Each plant has new growths. The leaves are still elongating on the growths. When should I expect the bloom spikes to appear...if the plants deem their growing conditions worthy of blooms LOL?

[Cym Ladye]

It is not uncommon for Cyms to miss a season after purchase because they are not getting the optimal care they received in the nursery they came from, especially if you might have kept them in the house too long while they were blooming and they got a slow growth start.

It is still a bit early for spikes to show on some of the later varieties. Red Beauty cultivars are not necessarily early up here in Northern CA. Yours could be just taking their time in a cooler zone than where they originally were grown. Cyms grow all year long so the continuing elongation of the new leaf growths is normal and a good sign. The spikes may just be late.

Cym Ladye

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

It is not uncommon for Cyms to miss a season after purchase because they are not getting the optimal care they received in the nursery they came from, especially if you might have kept them in the house too long while they were blooming and they got a slow growth start.

It is still a bit early for spikes to show on some of the later varieties. Red Beauty cultivars are not necessarily early up here in Northern CA. Yours could be just taking their time in a cooler zone than where they originally were grown. Cyms grow all year long so the continuing elongation of the new leaf growths is normal and a good sign. The spikes may just be late.
Cym Ladye

Thanks so much for this information. They came from Santa Barbara OE and your are so right about the care/condition/climate adjustment. I went outside to check on them today and I think I see one spike, other similar locations look "empty" to my inexperienced eye.

I moved them around a lot last winter when they were blooming and I was trying to keep the rain/frost off the blooms. This year I've got a popup greenhouse to cover them along with some heat/fan options. I'll try to move them around less. Perhaps they will be happier.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't think you should need "heat options". I just put in spike Cyms on the sheltered porch to keep buds/blooms out of the rain, and protect from frost and freeze.

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I don't think you should need "heat options". I just put in spike Cyms on the sheltered porch to keep buds/blooms out of the rain, and protect from frost and freeze.

Last winter I was surprised to find that our house is so well insulated that the porch is as cold as the area where I grow the orchids. At least it kept them dry. How cold do you let the buds and blooms get?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by GardenTheater

Last winter I was surprised to find that our house is so well insulated that the porch is as cold as the area where I grow the orchids. At least it kept them dry. How cold do you let the buds and blooms get?

They always stay out, so, around 30 for short periods overnight, but on the sheltered porch. Hasn't got more than a few degrees below freezing since I have been growing them...

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

They always stay out, so, around 30 for short periods overnight, but on the sheltered porch. Hasn't got more than a few degrees below freezing since I have been growing them... Honestly, I have a couple that don't even get sheltered, but, while they have been in spike during some freezing nights, buds weren't yet showing (these ones bloom a bit later - usually around April) and they were fine.

Thanks Sonya. Happy to hear how tough the Cyms canbe. After a few seasons with them I'll get the hang of it. I did learn from pampering the buds on the December bloomers, I got one that blooms in October to beat the rain and frost. Sounds like I need an April bloomer like you have...after all my Birthday is in April.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by GardenTheater

Thanks Sonya. Happy to hear how tough the Cyms canbe. After a few seasons with them I'll get the hang of it. I did learn from pampering the buds on the December bloomers, I got one that blooms in October to beat the rain and frost. Sounds like I need an April bloomer like you have...after all my Birthday is in April.

They most definitely are tough! It's really just the spikes that need protection from freeze/frost - the plant itself can withstand a bit.

Yes, it's nice, I have a Cym that usually begins blooming Jan-Feb (tho already has buds, so likely earlier this time), one that usually starts in March, one March-April, and another later April ?
Oh! and the dayanum which last year bloomed in November, I think ? - Might be on track for the same this year ...

So, I can have Cym blooms from mid-fall thru early summer - In case you didn't know - Cym blooms can be quite long lasting, especially in the cooler temps

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

They most definitely are tough! It's really just the spikes that need protection from freeze/frost - the plant itself can withstand a bit.

Yes, it's nice, I have a Cym that usually begins blooming Jan-Feb (tho already has buds, so likely earlier this time), one that usually starts in March, one March-April, and another later April ?
Oh! and the dayanum which last year bloomed in November, I think ? - Might be on track for the same this year ...

So, I can have Cym blooms from mid-fall thru early summer - In case you didn't know - Cym blooms can be quite long lasting, especially in the cooler temps

That is wonderful.

[Cym Ladye]

I noted that you are in Northern California. Are you in the Bay Area? There are two branches of the Cymbidium Society of America which meet in the area: Golden Gate Cym Society meets in Oakland on the 4th Wed of each month; and the Gold Coast Cym Growers meet the third Friday of each month, ie this Friday, in San Mateo at the San Mateo Garden Center.

Both feature a knowledgeable speaker each month to help you grow your plants better and to keep everyone up to date on the Cym news. I encourage you, if you are in the Bay Area, to attend one of these meetings. Both have web sites for more information.

Meanwhile, I agree with Sonja that there is no reason you should not keep your Cyms outside, merely protect from frost, heavy wind and storms. They do not need extra heat unless you get prolonged periods of below freezing temperatures. Rain on the plants is OK, just protect the spikes when the buds open.

Good Luck,

Cym Ladye