New to cymbidium

[Fairorchids]

Here are two photos showing both buds & new growths.

No. 1: Shows a plant with an early bud (left) and a new growth (right). Buds appear at the base of an immature new growth (abt the size of a leek), while new growths can start on both immature & mature bulbs.

No. 2: Shows two plants with bud and growth at about same height. The bud is wrapped in bracts, which are sort of random, while the new growth shows start of leaves, alternating to the right & left.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Cym lady, show us a picture of a begining bloom spike please. I just have a regular noid cym and a mini. I don't know either if I'm seeing new growth or bloom spikes.

"A picture is worth a thousand words" as they say. It takes time to learn the difference as both the new growths and the bloom spikes emerge from the base of the bulb, inside the outer leaf. An easy way to tell the difference is the fact the spike will be round and feel a bit hollow at the tip. The new growth will be hard and flat.

The good news for Dolly is that I see at least 2 spikes emerging! Both are round and plump and should be full of buds for a nice bloom.

---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:07 PM ----------

Rather than a drape with plastic, I have had excellent results in frost protection using a 4-6 degree freeze cloth available in many garden stores. I suspect Amazon has it too. If you can only find the light 2-3 degree protection, just double it. Simply drape the entire plant/row of plants and be sure the cloth goes to the ground. I use the stakes on the spikes to protect them but, unlike plastic, it will not harm the leaves if it touches them and allows air circulation.

[Dollythehun]

Thank you, cymb lady! It was hard to tell even with Kim's excellent pictures. I need to learn my way around cymbs a bit.