Can Cymbidiums grow if kept permanently indoors?
 

Hi,
I am new to all this. I have a 6m x 4m room with an operable louvred roof, and with windows that face North (equal to a South facing window for those in the Northern Hemisphere), so the lighting is good, and the ventilation is high. It could have direct sunlight if I need it, or I could exclude it by adjusting the louvres.

*I cant insert a picture as I am a new user*

For delicate plants, I've put them under the Northern window which is has the sunlight filtered by a patterned obscure laminate fixed to the glass so the plants do not get direct sunlight, but do get very bright light especially in the afternoons.

I have a number of cascading type Cymbidiums that I would like to hang so that their flowers drape (if I can manage to get them into flower).... But everything I have read says I should be keeping them outdoors.

I wonder, in my circumstances, is that necessary? I mean, am I wasting my time attempting this? :roll:


Thanks Gaz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary_fi...0215/lightbox/
The Orchid Room...

and the window....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary_fi...9379/lightbox/

It's recommended to grow Cyms outside due to their light requirement, and the necessary cool period (for non "warmth tolerant" ones). If you can provide those inside, I would think it should be do-able.

I have all my orchids indoors because of Sandy the frankenstorm....but I will have my Cymbidiums out in the fire escape until frost comes....then it will be in the southfacing window for the winter

I am in Tasmania and my cyms are outside all the time with some dappled shade in the summer sun and they seem to thrive on it. I bring them indoors for a couple of weeks when in bloom. I am only a novice but I think they like to be outside in fresh air.

not sure what you mean by a "cascading type" and recommend that you read up on specific culture requirements for each type.
For example a dayanum should be grown in temps of 58-75f at night. I am not sure whether you can match this. The plants will however grow well, but you may never get blooms.
You have a beautiful grow-space and it would be worthwhile you investigating all the heat-tolerant cyms available.
Try this forum
Forum - New Horizon Orchids - Andy Easton

Grow - yes
Bloom regularly - probably not, unless you can find some hybrids which do not need the cool temperatures to initiate flowering. Cym Golden Elf and its hybrids and the species dayanum and ensifolium hybrids are possibilities and stay on the smaller size. Give them the brightest light you can and lots of air circulation. Other warm growing species just get TOO big to handle in a small environment.

Cym Ladye

it means the cascading arc spike of blooms as opposed to the erect spike of flowers some Cyms produce....

Thanks everyone. My new "orchid room" lol... it just acquired a new name.... is not a heated area - separated from the house by glass concertina doors... so maybe it will be OK so far as winter temperatures go. It doesn't get the wind chill factor that plants might get outside.

In winter, temperatures in Sydney rarely drop below 5 °C (41 °F) but the coldest month is July, with an average range of 8.0-16 °C (46-61 °F).

I was concerned that this space might be too cold for some of my more tropical orchids... and I might have to bring them in at night.

It's all very confusing as I've been looking for cool weather Cyms!

I keep my Cyms at a min of 5C. They stay out until the temps start to drop below that outside, them move into my greenhouse which is only heated to 5C.

I think if you can give them good light and if the temps drop into that colder end of the range then you might be OK. Bear in mind that even direct light through glass is not as bright as direct light outside, even if it seems it to us. But then hear in the UK I probably don't get the light levels you do outside, and they still do OK.