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.

I've grown cyms in less ideal conditions than those I see here and they still bloom. Try a couple in there and see how they do. But put them in the sunniest part of the room. Let us know how they do.

Obviously, the lack of cool temps is not your problem here. Lack of enough light may be and I agree with the "trial and error" suggestion made by James. However, I would add to that to concentrate on the smaller sized Cymbidiums, referred to as "Miniature" or "Novelty". These tend to be more tolerant of conditions like yours, take up less space and definitely will give you more blooms for the size of the plant.

Pendent or cascading Cyms are very popular. Their care is the same. Hang them and enjoy the blooms on spikes that arch and fall over the edge of the pot. Many of the hybrids also tend to be VERY floriferous. For references, visit the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate website to see some of these. I am sure they are also available in your area with a little searching of orchid nurseries.

Good Luck,

CL

Your winter temp is similar to Southern California. Most Cymbidiums grow like weed in this climate. I would keep them outdoor with 50% shade. Bring them indoor only when they are in-bloom to enjoy.

Gaz,

One point you did not address was how hot does this area get during your summer? The only reason I suggested the Miniature or Novelty type Cyms. was as a "space saver" or with the assumption the room may stay warmer than the standards prefer, although most Cym. hybrids will all survive nicely in temps that swing from near freezing to the occasional 100F. The keys here would be adequate humidity and good air circulation.

The bottom line is that Cyms. really want to be outdoors with good air circulation, 50% shade and humidity, and temperature ideally between 45F and 90F with the occasional 5F-10F variable at each end tolerable for a very short period. The closer you can get to these conditions, the better luck you will have in growing and blooming them well.
.
CL

Thanks CL,
Our summers can get hot that's for sure... especially when there's a westerly breeze. Where I live in Sydney, we usually get a pleasant coastal breeze. It goes without saying that I've had quite a bit of damage to my garden outside from the westerly, from time to time.

Humidity is between 50% - 70% all year round... so that's kind of ideal for orchids I guess.

The average temperature in Summer is 25C degrees (77 for you)... but can get up around 40 (103) for four or five days of the year... my plants are probably far better off inside on those days, and when the westerly blowing.


I think I can manage pretty good air circulation as we enjoy that right through the house now, I open a bank of glass louvres are one end of the house and open the roof at the other. I put the space with operable louvres there for that purpose originally.. so I have ventilation covered.... and humidity provided naturally.... the questionable component seems to be light.... and of course water management.

Gaz,

Orchid growing for all of us is a trial and error procedure. We learn as much as we can to give each genera what it wants within our own personal limitations of our environment. Many times we try to fit a "square peg into a round hole" and find it simply does not work that way with orchids. :rofl:

In the end, we wind up with what we like and do the best we can to benefit our plants. Always keep your mind open to change and improvement, no matter what. We, as growers, have to learn to adapt too. :twocents:

I think you will do just fine with your Cymbidiums if you keep in mind what they want and the problems you know you have to watch for. Good luck.

CL