Cymbidium issue

[danieln]

Hi guys,

I've had this Cymbidium plant for almost two years now. Photo is attached. I got it back on February 2014 and it bloomed with a beautiful column of pinkish flowers right off the store shelf. The flowers wilted about a month or two after, and the plant has not blossomed since. How can I make this reluctant creature blossom again? I've been giving it the red fertilizer during summer, and the blue one during winter, once every other week. Watering it once a week. It is located right at the south facing window where it gets ample amounts of sunshine during both winter (NJ) and summer. It is green all year round, shedding yellow leaves here and there.
Second question: it currently has several yellowish pseudo bulbs. There are no leaves coming out of them, and they are firmly attached to the plant. Should I leave them as is? Will new leaves ever emerge out of them?

Thanks!

Daniel

[Roberta]

When you see new growth, repotting would be in order. I would suggest a somewhat deeper pot, since Cyms have long roots. But if you have had it for two years, it probably had been in that pot for a year or two previous, so it needs it. You can wait until spring is well along to do this.

In general, Cyms need a fall cool-down, and LOTS of light in the growing season. Once it warms up in the spring (danger of frost past, nights above about 50 deg F) put it outside. It really needs a good temperature differential between day and night to be happy, and light is going to be better. Then leave it out until nearly time for frost. It can even take a light frost. Then you can bring it in for the winter. Some Cyms are being bred for less of a cool-down requirement, but nearly all benefit from it.

With regard to those leafless pseudobulbs (back bulbs), if they are firm they are still providing nutrients to the plant. If you have three or four good ones that still have leaves, you can remove those back bulbs. But less than 3 or 4 bulbs will make a weak plant. (Also true when dividing... don't make small divisions)

[danieln]

Thanks Roberta!
I've actually re-potted it a little over a year ago, but I will do that again. I live in an apartment building, so putting it outside is not possible. I'm just happy that it is viable and lush at least

[Roberta]

It will be a challenge to get that baby to rebloom - the temperature in your apartment is likely to be too even. But worth a try. (If you can put it by an open window in the fall, might help) Also, for light, you might try an LED desk lamp or similar light source, 12 hours a day to supplement what comes in the window, especially in the short days of winter. Fertilizer is the least important factor - light and temperature variation are the biggies. Again, exactly how much of a deficit in these areas you can get away with depends on breeding. Good luck!

[rbarata]

You could try a north window, if available. Sunlight increases temperature.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

You could try a north window, if available. Sunlight increases temperature.

As far north as danieln lives (New Jersey, USA) the north light is rather weak, especially this time of year. South gives the best intensity, but not enough hours duration. (That is the reason for my suggestion of supplemental light) Heat is not a problem - Cymbidiums are quite happy being cool (they can tolerate a few degrees below freezing) but also tolerate heat (100 deg F/38 deg C is also OK) What they really don't like for blooming is the same temperature day and night.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Roberta

As far north as danieln lives (New Jersey, USA) the north light is rather weak, especially this time of year. South gives the best intensity, but not enough hours duration. (That is the reason for my suggestion of supplemental light) Heat is not a problem - Cymbidiums are quite happy being cool (they can tolerate a few degrees below freezing) but also tolerate heat (100 deg F/38 deg C is also OK) What they really don't like for blooming is the same temperature day and night.

I forgot the geographic factor. Mine are always outdoors, faced north. They bloom easily 'cause the temps are like you've said: 38ºC in summer and below freezing in winter. They really need that difference. I had them for a few years inside and they never bloomed and had a weak growing. The moment I put them outside, they started to bloom and grow. Today they are huge plants.

[Roberta]

This plant may have some of the Chinese Cymbidium species (like Cym. sinense or ensifolium) in it to not need quite as much light or temperature range as the more "standard" Cyms. Looking at the plant, with narrow leaves, not so tall, and many fairly small pseudobulbs makes me suspect that is the case. It looks quite healthy. If it has that parentage, it may bloom with just a little more help.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I forgot the geographic factor. Mine are always outdoors, faced north. They bloom easily 'cause the temps are like you've said: 38ºC in summer and below freezing in winter. They really need that difference. I had them for a few years inside and they never bloomed and had a weak growing. The moment I put them outside, they started to bloom and grow. Today they are huge plants.

Abrantes and New Jersey are roughly the same latitude 40N. But given yours are outdoors they will receive more light than indoors.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by jcec1

Abrantes and New Jersey are roughly the same latitude 40N. But given yours are outdoors they will receive more light than indoors.

Now that you've mentioned it, you're right. But climate has a major role. In summer we have frequent meteo warnings of high UV radiation (sometimes in the maximum level) which increases the difference between high and low temps. This could be a factor in blooming.