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- - Pendoulos or not? (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/cymbidium-alliance/30610-pendoulos.html)

Pendoulos or not?

Can anyone determine the type of cym without the flower stem?
Is there any characteristic of the leaf or something to mark that?
I have three new cyms with the flowerstems secured to vertical pegs, but two of them look as if their stems wold be pendoulos if let alone.I am afraid to let them loose now, most of the flowers are open , for fera of breaking the stem in the big change, but i wonder for the next season.

corina, it is possible the spikes could be pendulous. The reason they are staked up is for sale purposes. If the spike hung down, how would it be transported. Its not good but the only commercial solution. If you have the names of the plants, google them and see what happens. Quite often they or something similar will appear.

Yes, it is logical that they stake them like that for transportation,however i do not have the courage to let the bloomed spike down now.
Sadly, i have no name for them, the usual problem.

Can you post any clear pics of the flowers, you might get an ID.

It is really hard to determine spike habit without the name. There are so many reasons to have the name, spike habit being one. There are cultural differances between plants with certain species background as well. Too bad big producers are doing that Just to save a few cents but it hurts the true enthusiast like us. We tend to loose confidence and enthusiasm in that producers product dont we?
One big producer I talked too said that the retail outlets often pull out and throw away tags to keep us from knowing where they same from. So why put them in? Well I for one quit buying from outlets or producers with that attitude. It makes me angry.

I've had a good look at the pics and would suggest that none are pendulous. Looking at them, it appears that they have been left to spike without any staking prior to selling. The spikes could have been going in any direction then hauled up and staked. This happens a lot in the commercial industry unforunately. In future flowerings I think with care and staking early they will be upright spikes and the flowers will sit much better.
Sorry, can't help with names.

Corina,

A rule of thumb I use on staking unknown Cyms. is the flower size. If the flowers are large or essentially 3 1/2" - 4" across, stake the stem for best results. For smaller flowers, stake and make the first tie just below the first bud. You can stake further but no more than 2/3 up the stem. This will allow the inflorescence to arch at the top.

Truly pendulous Cyms tend to have smaller flowers, weaker stems and the definite urge to be pendulous.

In all cases, consider the presentation of the flowers. We in the US prefer to see the flowers held above the foliage so that they may be better appreciated. If I encounter shorter stems, I stake them at an angle so that they will be displayed around the edge of the pot and outside the leaves. Same is true for pendulous spikes, but downward from the edge of the pot. Trial and error will in time determine the best way to stake each of your plants. Over they years, I have learned to stake virtually all of my Cyms. one way or another, for best results.

At this stage with your new plant, do not remove the stakes as it will alter the position of the flowers and possibly break the stem if it bends too far.

CL

That is a really complete description.Very good to know.