Cymbidium Tommy 'Sweet Lime'; spike??

[gngrhill]

I kept min outside in sun up to about 3pm, then light shade. I brought it in when we started having frost at night. It's in my grow space where night temps are 55F and days are 65-70F. I have my first spike.

[Cym Ladye]

You live in a zone too cold in the winter to keep your plant outside in the winter. When it is in spike, as yours is, it will be more sensitive to any temps colder than freezing.

Putting it out during the day and inside at night totally confuses the plant as the nights then become warmer than the days! I suggest bringing it into a cool area at 50-55F at night if possible. Days can be warmer. A greenhouse would work of course, or a sunny room in the house where the heat can be turned off. You will just need to keep it above freezing/frost.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Hi Cym Ladye

Although it might be ideal for Cymbidiums, I don't have a space where temperatures can be managed as you describe. What I can do, for much of the winter, is keep the Cyms outdoors, day and night, watch the forecast, and bring them into an unheated open garage when the night temps drop into the lower 30s F. The temperature near an interior wall is warm enough. This is what I have been doing so far. When the temperatures become much colder, I will need to bring them indoors into a house at roughly 70 F.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Hi Cym Ladye

Although it might be ideal for Cymbidiums, I don't have a space where temperatures can be managed as you describe. ........ When the temperatures become much colder, I will need to bring them indoors into a house at roughly 70 F.

Unfortunately, if you cannot lower your night time temps. your buds will blast, especially on any Standards you have. The smaller, temperature tolerant ones may be OK.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Update -
Well, I looked at this growth yesterday. It has a small opening at the tip & is hollow inside. Looking down into the hollow space I see - BUDS!!

I'm hoping it will be more photogenic by New Years Day, & I'll take/post a photo.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Update -
Well, I looked at this growth yesterday. It has a small opening at the tip & is hollow inside. Looking down into the hollow space I see - BUDS!!

I'm hoping it will be more photogenic by New Years Day, & I'll take/post a photo.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Oh how exiting.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Here is the latest on the developing spike - it looks like there are about 20 buds. PaulB (OB member - gave me this division) tells me this Cymbidium likes to cascade, so I'm going with that & not staking. It is coming into the house again tomorrow (night is supposed to hit 20 degrees).

[Cym Ladye]

It looks as if you will need to repot in the spring, after it is finished blooming. Roots really do not like living on top of old mix. Until then, you might want to top the pot off with fresh mix. Just remember you did so and not think the mix looks OK in the spring when it comes time to repot.

By the way, what is the name of your plant?

[No-Pro-mwa]

So what in the world finally happened? Did it bloom and I missed it?