NOID cymbidium in bloom - Page 3 - Orchid Board

silken · #21 01-01-2012, 02:51 AM

When the 3rd spike opens more, I'll see what I can get for a photo!

GardenTheater · #22 01-01-2012, 02:35 PM

Looking forward to more pictures. That one sounds like a "very happy camper"!

Jimmyb1982 · #23 01-02-2012, 02:03 PM

Those are really beautiful Silken!

I'm new to orchids, I just inherited them from my grandmother. I'm trying to classify what I have, and one of them has green blooms very similar to yours in the photo, does that make mine a NOID?

silken · #24 01-02-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyb1982

Those are really beautiful Silken!

I'm new to orchids, I just inherited them from my grandmother. I'm trying to classify what I have, and one of them has green blooms very similar to yours in the photo, does that make mine a NOID?

Thanks Jimmy. That's nice that you got those from your grandmother and makes them extra special. Any orchid that doesn't come with a name must really remain a no ID or as commonly called a NOID. It just means we have no idea what the true parentage is since there are so many hybrids out there. It is no less beautiful and really only means you can't take it for AOS judging and get an AOS award on it. Sometimes it also helps to know parentage to understand cultural requirements. But if your cymbidiums are fairly large (standard size) then they are basically cool growing and like fairly high light and need fairly cool temps in the fall to initiate bloom spikes. The miniature cyms are more warmth tolerant.

Jimmyb1982 · #25 01-02-2012, 03:27 PM

Ok thanks! I guess that makes it really easy then, since they'll all be NOIDs! Hahaha, I think (90% sure) my grandma got them all from her aunt 20+ years ago. I don't know anyone else in my area that has outdoor orchids that bloom every year. Our summers can reach 110+, the winters just above freezing, and there's very little humidity. I'm not sure how to classify them as standard or miniature, but that's something for me to look into. Thank you!

silken · #26 01-02-2012, 05:15 PM

Well, here in summer we often get to 80's and 90's and it isn't very humid ever really as we are in the middle of the prairies. I set my Cyms out in a fairly bright place all summer and water them but let the rain fall on them too. Rot isn't real common here as it isn't dark and damp ever for long. I leave them out in the fall until it is close to freezing but never risk getting them frozen. By then I bring them in and grow them pretty cool all winter while they bloom. My greenhouse is 65F in the daytime and 55F at night in the winter. They are real close to a patio door so they likely get cooler as our temps outside can go to -30 and 40 Celcius here. I have lost track what that is in Fahrenheit but I know they are equal at -40 and is darn cold regardless! Standard Cyms are fairly large. I think both of mine are potted in a 1 gallon pot and the leaves are easily 2 ft long. I would like more of them but they take up a lot of room when I must have them indoors all winter!

Jimmyb1982 · #27 01-02-2012, 05:37 PM

Ok, the leaves on these are all at least 2 ft.. They just look kinda small nestled under my 4 ft tall Calla and Canna Lilies. Lol.. The heat is the thing that I'm afraid of..I've had a ficus and bougainvillea that finally succumbed to the heat a couple years ago (and those are hearty heat tolerant plants!) They're all situated in places where they'll get good morning light and filtered afternoon light.. I'm still reading and trying to get ready for this coming summer.. it's been in the 70's this last week, so I think it'll probably be pretty hot here...

silken · #28 01-02-2012, 05:42 PM

Keeping them misted in the heat might help. Or in the house on those days??

Jimmyb1982 · #29 01-02-2012, 06:14 PM

I'll definitely try the misting! The heat is 100+ for 2-4 months a year, so I don't know if keeping them indoors would work. I also don't have any east or north facing windows for them inside. They've been potted in simple potting soil forever I think...what would be the best media to help keep them hydrated in such high heat? Maybe that's why they're in soil, but everything I'm reading here says that's completely wrong..

silken · #30 01-02-2012, 06:33 PM

I have read of people who do pot them in soil and even old cow manure and do great with them. My thought is if they are thriving, maybe other than a re-pot, don't switch things up. But normally I think most people would pot them in bark, coco husk chunks, possibly mixed with some perlite or charcoal. Maybe trying 1 plant only in a different mix would be a good experiment and see how it does. Most orchids have roots that need to dry fairly quickly and need some air so that is why bark and similar things are used. In nature many grow on trees and don't have their roots in any soil. Cyms are a bit more terrestrial than say Phals and Cattleyas and Oncidiums so I think that's why your plants are still OK in soil. Do some research and come spring you will have a better idea of what to pot them in for your location. There must be some who grow Cyms in your area. I think I heard there is a society in San Diego for Cym growers. Not sure where that is in relation to you.