Cym Flower spike died
 

A month ago I purchased a vibrant cumbidium with lots of blooms. Two spikes of new buds have died in the last week. What would cause this? I live near Vancouver BC and we have had temperatures below freezing outside which caused very low humidity 25 - 40% range, but the room temperature is 60 - 70 daytime and 50 - 60 nighttime. Normal humidity is 35 - 50%. The room is quite bright (lots of skylight and window), but very little direct sunlight on the plants.

Welcome to Orchid Board.

I'm not a Cym expert but my first Cym did the same thing and there was nothing wrong with it, it's just the move from one enviroment to another that caused it.

The temperatures you quote are actually quite warm for Cyms in the winter. I do have one in the same temps(ish) at the momment so I can enjoy it's blooms inside. However many of them actually like cool temps in the winter and my other one is in the 40-50 range in my greenhouse.

It's possible the nursary you bought it from kept it cooler and the change in temp to our house has caused this. It's actually a common problem with several types of orchids, that the change in conditions (not the conditions themselves but the change) can cause the flowers to 'blast'.

Your humidity seems pretty low, but I don't know what these like. I know Canada can be a lot drier than here in the UK, I start to think it's getting low if it gets down to 45%/50%. However, as I said, I don't know what these really like.

I'm not sure if the roots should be checked on this, as root rot can be another cause of flowers droping early. If it were a Phal I would advise sliding it out the pot and taking a look, but I'm usure if that's a good thing to do on Cyms or not as some orchids get upset easily by disturbing the roots at the wrong time of year.

Sorry I can't help more. I'm still learning about Cyms myself. Hopefully one of our experts will be along soon. I've actually edited your thread title as I think putting Cym in the title will help get the right people looking at it.

I agree with Rosie that it was likely caused by the change in conditions - it's happened to me as well. Another possibility is being near a heat source ...

Yes all comments are right. In the past I got bud blast and spike abort when I took mine in due to cold. I do better just leaving them outside. When I did take plants in I found that the plants in a cool corner and on the floor kept their spikes. Good air movement is also important. Cyms dont seem to like to be inside until the flowers are fully open - then they do ok but again better in a cool place with air.
I live in Florida now but did live in Connecticut - so I know your problem well.
Sometimes buds or spikes will blast even outside if the weather suddenly turns warm.

agree with previus said - it can be due to environment change, humidity lost and also draughts