Unpopular Orchid Opinions

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

I personally think cymbidiums are the most forgiving plants for beginners. They are not too different from regular house plants and can take a lot of bad conditions before something terrible happens to them.

I'd agree that Cyms are pretty hard to kill. But... not necessarily that easy to flower for everyone. The so-called "warmth-tolerant" ones, that don't need a fall cool-down to bloom, are indeed easier for those who have to grow at least part of the year indoors. The other "gotcha" is giving them the light that they need for blooming, a lot more than most other orchids. So growing them is one thing, flowering may be another depending on one's conditions and the parentage of the plant. Where I live, they're as easy to grow and flower as roses, under pretty much the same conditions. But that's not the case for probably the majority of orchid growers, practically everywhere else.

[BrassavolaStars]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I'd agree that Cyms are pretty hard to kill. But... not necessarily that easy to flower for everyone. The so-called "warmth-tolerant" ones, that don't need a fall cool-down to bloom, are indeed easier for those who have to grow at least part of the year indoors. The other "gotcha" is giving them the light that they need for blooming, a lot more than most other orchids. So growing them is one thing, flowering may be another depending on one's conditions and the parentage of the plant. Where I live, they're as easy to grow and flower as roses, under pretty much the same conditions. But that's not the case for probably the majority of orchid growers, practically everywhere else.

It just occurred to me after reading this that I have several cymbidiums that, while seemingly indestructible, have never bloomed in my care. I completely forgot that getting orchids to flower was part of the ease of growing score. I think I may have just gotten to the point where I think they're easy if they don't die easily

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

It just occurred to me after reading this that I have several cymbidiums that, while seemingly indestructible, have never bloomed in my care. I completely forgot that getting orchids to flower was part of the ease of growing score. I think I may have just gotten to the point where I think they're easy if they don't die easily

Consider growing them outside once danger of frost is past. And leave them out until it becomes a danger again.(Filtered sun at midday, but direct morning and late afternoon sun are fine) So probably use minimum night temps of around 40 deg F/4 deg C as the decision point for moving indoors, to give a small margin for error. If you get a period of warm days and cool nights in the fall, that would be perfect.