Light:Which way should I face my buds?

[ky1]

Hi,

I have just purchase a cymbidium with buds. I placed it in my window and the buds are turning in different directions. Should I try to face the buds towards the light, is this the way they like to grow? Is there a way to make them all face the one way again? It has only been in the window a couple of days.

Thanks

[orchids3]

The buds will grow crooked if you turn the plant while the flower spike is forming. I try to place my tags so that they are on the side of the pot away from the sun. If I move the pot I try to place it the same in relation to the sun. After you look at a few thousand plants you just natuarally pick the front (sun side) and back (away from the sun.

[ky1]

Thanks! As I don't know how the florist had it positioned I'm trying to work out how to position it to do the least damage. Should I position it with the majority of the buds facing the window?is this how they grow?

[breeindy]

yep!

[s.kallima]

Maybe the leaves could indicate which way the plant was facing in the last couple of months (unless the light was comming exactly from the top...). I know most of my orchids (but I do not have Cymb.) are on a windowsill and the leaves (as well as the spikes) are clearly "looking" toward the light .
Just my 2 cts.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by ky1

Thanks! As I don't know how the florist had it positioned I'm trying to work out how to position it to do the least damage. Should I position it with the majority of the buds facing the window?is this how they grow?

Ky1,

Not always, in answer to your last question. I have had some of the most beautiful bloomings with flowers equally spaced and facing all around the spike. I have also had spikes with flowers deliberately facing AWAY from the light. That said, for you this year, I would place the plant so that the majority of the buds face the light and enjoy.

You would be surprised at how long the budded plants sit in sleeves at the shippers prior to delivery to the florists. The buds haven't a clue which way to face as they are hampered by the sleeve, even if it is clear, and the direction they face has been changed from the original grower's benches.



CL

[breeindy]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Ky1,

Not always, in answer to your last question. I have had some of the most beautiful bloomings with flowers equally spaced and facing all around the spike. I have also had spikes with flowers deliberately facing AWAY from the light. That said, for you this year, I would place the plant so that the majority of the buds face the light and enjoy.

You would be surprised at how long the budded plants sit in sleeves at the shippers prior to delivery to the florists. The buds haven't a clue which way to face as they are hampered by the sleeve, even if it is clear, and the direction they face has been changed from the original grower's benches.



CL

wow what orchid flowers face away from light?

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by breeindy

wow what orchid flowers face away from light?

Breeindy,

I have several cyms on my orchid benches that regularly open their flowers AWAY from direct sunlight. Yes, these are anomalies, but only give credence to the statement that "all" and "every" cannot be used with plants

CL