Help identifying new two new orchids

[Reguluscalendula]

I got a couple orchids today at a plant exchange and they need serious rescuing, but I don’t know what the orchids are, so I can’t help them beyond cleaning up rotten roots.

The first is about 15”x10”, the pseudobulbs are the size of baseballs and the strap-shaped leaves are 2-3 feet long. The roots look like they belong on an epiphyte. The black line and dot visible on the pseudobulb in the second picture is part of a sharpie question mark.


The second is much smaller, and the pseudobulbs are probably an inch and a half to two inches long when not shriveled and the roots look terrestrial.

Thank you for your help!

Also, can the bigger one be grown outside? I live in a Mediterranean 9b zone in north/central California.

[Subrosa]

First one is a Cymbidium. Second one there are lots of possibilities.

[Roberta]

The Cymbidium can be grown outside (may need a little winter protection if you get a hard freeze) Cyms are OK down to 29-30 deg F, beyond that it's pushing it. A problem you may have is timing... Cyms are best potted when they are in active growth, in the spring. I think I'd suggest potting these up, moist but not too wet, and then in the spring when you see new growth you can clean up old back bulbs (leaving at least 3 bulbs that are firm even if leafless), get rid of bad roots, etc. At this point, you don't want to add any more stress as winter approaches.

[MattWoelfsen]

The first one is a Cymbidium. I wouldn't cut out any roots. I would remove some of the older decayed pbulbs. You can grow these outside in your zone. I grow Cymbidium in seramis. Or bonsai soil. Between the two plants you posted, the Cymbdium is more terrestrial than the second plant.

The second plant looks like a Bulbophyllum. If it is a Bulbo, this genus requires warmth, fresh, moving, humid air and a lot of water. I would plant this in sphagnum moss. But if you are more comfortable growing plants in bark, that is okay--as long as the media is loosely packed. Use a shallow pot. Bulbophyllum like this has small roots. They can also be mounted on cork or tree fern.

[katrina]

The leaves don't look right for a bulbo. Maybe a coelogyne. Could be a number of other orchids though. The only way to know for sure...when you get flowers.