Cymbidium growing in Colorado

[Pilot]

So I have a few cymbidium that I grow, both Asian and ....non-Asian? Anyway, I've managed to spike my Asian cymbidium goeringii alba (such a slow grower but the bud is finally forming) and I'd like to get a few more. Before I do however, I am wondering if anyone else has managed to grow these plants, specifically the non Asian ones, and successfully bloom them in Colorado? I was sending in an order to Santa Barbara when they replied and asked that I check with local people. The problem is I know of no local people. Lol. I'm clearly able to grow and bloom the Asian varieties but can i manage the big guys? I think I can because I have the summer for it but their concern is that my season would be too short. I have a solarium that I'd use to grow the larger varieties in and I can keep it cool enough as I also grow citrus trees in there too.

Anyone from the mountain states have any input?


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[stonedragonfarms]

I'm not from a mountain state, but I had no problem growing & flowering cymbidiums in Michigan; I had about 200 of them in my greenhouse. Provided you can give them ample water spring-early fall, keep them not too hot (under 90F or so) for summer days, and let them cool off at night (20F temp drop as a minimum)...and keep them bright and cool for the winter; about 3000fc 70F day/45F night (though even cooler days are better)...you should not have a problem. They are much easier in a greenhouse setting imho, but if you look for the minis, they will do well under lights/in a south window. Good luck!
Adam

[Pilot]

Thanks for the input Adam! I've been trying to figure this out but just keep getting the "you can't" mantra from a certain vendor, even though I'm NOT windowsill growing these plants. I'm going to just keep the two big ones I have and see what I get after this coming season. I've spiked Cym goeringii successfully so I'm guessing I can do the same for the bigger ones.


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[stonedragonfarms]

Ryan:
Goeringii is a little bit different in its culture; namely it will do better with much cooler temps in the winter and less water; in their natural habitat they have a very wet, warm spring & summer, a warm fall with intermittent moisture and a dry cool/cold winter; they also do not need to be kept in bright light in the winter; many of them are actually covered by fallen leaves or snow in their natural range for a couple months during mid/late January & February. I'm fairly confident I know of which vendor you speak; I'd suggest that you check out Hatfield Orchids; George has great plants, he packs very well and has great prices. If you decide to stick in the Asian families, you might try Cym. ensifolium or its progeny; they like warmer winters, have a great fragrance and grow well indoors.
Adam

[Pilot]

Thanks Adam. I actually think I can provide Asian cymbidium great conditions. This was the first season I tried them and they did great in the solar. I brought them in before the first frost and that seemed to do the trick. I didn't even know at the time that they spike in the fall! Ha!

So this is what kills me... You say, and I agree, that goeringii can do better with much cooler temps and yet this vendor, SBOE, said the plants wouldn't do well for me because I could not give them the required cool period. My environment can provide pretty sturdy temp differences between day and night, especially in the fall. We will get 70-80 days and 35-45 at night for many weeks. If I understand correctly, keeping them that cool is what they like... No?

For now I will stick with my Asian variety and the two noid cyms I have to see if I can get them to re bloom. If I can, then I'll look for the red one I want so much! This doesn't mean I won't go check out hatfield though. Lol


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[Pilot]

Wow.... Cym. Fire Village 'Enzan Merlot' #144. This is from hatfield.


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[Cym Ladye]

I am really surprised at SBOE. Be sure when contacting vendors, you tell them in the beginning what your conditions are with the high/low temperatures and where you will be growing. Telling vendors you are growing inside, usually tells them you are window-sill growing unless you state otherwise.

George currently has many of the warmer growing, small flowered varieties using madidum and canaliculatum, but the plants, although very showy when in bloom, are very large plants. He also has the big standards, which you have not mentioned and do take up more space.

Not all Asian species grow the same. Sinense and ensifolium do not want the cold temps which goeringii wants. Study up on the requirements of these species before assuming all Asian species thrive in the same conditions.

Cym Ladye

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

I am really surprised at SBOE. Be sure when contacting vendors, you tell them in the beginning what your conditions are with the high/low temperatures and where you will be growing. Telling vendors you are growing inside, usually tells them you are window-sill growing unless you state otherwise.

George currently has many of the warmer growing, small flowered varieties using madidum and canaliculatum, but the plants, although very showy when in bloom, are very large plants. He also has the big standards, which you have not mentioned and do take up more space.

Not all Asian species grow the same. Sinense and ensifolium do not want the cold temps which goeringii wants. Study up on the requirements of these species before assuming all Asian species thrive in the same conditions.

Cym Ladye

Thanks Ladye!

I agree-- telling vendors of your conditions and how you'll grow is very important. I felt I had done that with SBOE but it didn't work. I'm guessing email failed us because when I mention bringing plants inside, maybe she assumed window sill even though I specified i'm growing in a solar. Solars are very common parts of homes in Colorado-- because we get over 300 days of sun a year (we are considered semi-arid after all)-- and we do have some very cold winter temps, a solar brings the outside in without the negative temps! Either way, the email comms between me and this SBOE individual did not end well. I had asked about a nice red cym that's heat tolerant and provided an example from their site and she wrote back and said, "You asked about a nice red and I don't think that one is nice." Umm... ok. Wow.

Do people know what I mean when I say "a solar"? I'm being serious... maybe I'm using an unknown term.

I'm not worried about the size of the cyms, honestly. The room is a big one and it's one used to A) grow tropical plants like citrus for food that also need that cold spell and B) take naps in because it's quiet and the sun can warm you! The room itself will hit 70's during the day unless it is very very cold outside and at night it's allows to drop in to the upper 50s. I also grow cacti and succs as well as hibiscus in there, which don't seem to mind the cold temps.

I also grow most everything in semi hydroponics. I only have goeringii right now-- haven't tried the others, but if the others need it warmer, i also have a grow tent in my basement where I successfully bloom everything from phals and neos/neo hybrids up to your big vandas. That is where the asian cyms are now, about to bloom.

I'm actually in the market for a nice variegated asian cym! Still looking but I'll find one.

For now, i have a message sent off to hatfield as they have a red I'd very much like to try but I had a bunch of questions for George in general-- so hope to hear from him soon.

At this point I'm going to keep the cyms I have and use them to test out my success with growing them in my dynamic home. maybe I'm deluding myself but I have a hunch I'm going to be able to grow these just fine. We shall see!

[Cym Ladye]

The biggest problem for you in Colorado is the lack of humidity. If you can grow phals successfully, you may be all right but keep in the back of your mind that Cyms want 50% humidity on an average.

Do not hold your breath on George getting back to you as swiftly as you would want. He has his hands full now with the show season, but has gotten to be famous for not responding to queries in a timely manner.

I really do not understand the SBOE response! I have known the owners there for over 30 years and this comes as a real surprise! I am very sorry you encountered this person. I can only hope it was a temporary employee.

There are many reds of all sizes out there that are really nice. Try the following website: Casa de las Orquideas Online They are a very reputable nursery/hybridizers with a lot of excellent reds. They are located in Solana Beach, CA.

CL

[Bluey]

If you want any further advice, I would contact Andrew Easton at New Horizon Orchids, Salinas California. You'll get simple, honest advice from a veteran Cymbidium grower/hybridiser whose work is at the forefront in world Cymbidium developments.