Hi, another geek from S. Florida

[cloudswinger]

I'm in Deerfield Beach, and have had some orchids for over 10 years that were inherited from my parents. I've never done anything to them. My husband would water them when he felt they needed it. So recently I was at Lowes and decided to pick up some orchids from the clearance rack. Then I went home and had to research them. The "first" one is the one in the worst shape. It's a cymb(Little Black Sambo) with one leaf and no roots. I have it in a bag, but I'm not sure if it's even worth that much since cymbs are not supposed to do well here.

Since then I've been back and have been getting progressively better condition clearance orchids. My most recent purchases were a little wilted, one had one flower bud left, with a new spike growing and the other was regrowing a broken spike. A good soaking brought both back.

So now I have these really old orchids that I'm debating how to repot. Their roots are all outside of the pots, two are dends(one is in spike) and a cattleya that's in growth mode. I"m going to do the cattleya soon, just debating whether I want to use glazed ceramic orchid pots or plastic pots.

[patticake]

Hi cloudswinger! I love your name! After you post 5 times, you can post pictures! That would help a lot...Our growing conditions are very different, but we have a lot of geeks in Florida, so I'm sure you'll get some help soon! Good Luck!

[solay]

Welcome new geek. Does the Cym. have a firm bulb/bulbs? You can grow a new plant off of them so even with no roots or leaves it will survive. I think pics. will help to see if it's salvageable. Others will help with the rest cause I don't have much experience with them yet.

[cloudswinger]

The one leaf cym has one bulb that's still green. So that's what gives me some hope. I put it in a bag to keep the humidity up, but then I've also read that the Little Black Sambo is from a dry area of Australia, so I'm not sure that it's a good idea to be too humid. It's only been about a week though. The whole waiting thing is killing me! That's why I got more to muck around with, but it's apparent to me that orchids are better off being left alone more often than not. All the orchids in my backyard have done pretty well for being ignored most of the time. So I'm just going to figure out how to repot those old ones, and then just leave them mostly alone.

I've also ordered a few more from Carter & Holmes, and then I've decided that I'm just going to stick with orchids from Vietnam, where my parents are from. I figure that way I can limit my collection. Although I found 27 at Andy's orchids. That wasn't helpful at all.

[arleneg]

Hi & welcome to the forum, cloudswinger.

[sandra]

Another neighbor! Welcome cloudswinger. I've been living in Parkland since moving to Florida. At this time I'm staying in Delray but my home is still in Parkland.

I've only seen one Cym. out here and that was at Albertsons a few months ago. They're all gorgeous and wish you luck growing it here in this weather...hopefully, not outdoors? Which Lowes? Boca? Coconut Creek?

P.S. Speaking of coconuts , have you seen all the Maxillarias at the Super WalMart? Heavenly...

[solay]

Cloudswinger, I find Cyms. don't like moisture and high humidity. It causes rot more then help it. If you haven't already, I would check out the roots and cut off all dead (dark/mushy) roots. Then re-pot in some bark with the bulb a inch or so in the bark. Eventually you should get new growth coming up on the side of the bulb. I would keep it in filtered light/some shade. keep the bark moist but not soggy. Water when bark in almost dry. Good Luck.

[orchid_girl]

Welcome on board!!! I am sure you'll find anything you need on here

[NancyG]

Welcome cloudswinger! I'm also from S florida. sounds like you have caught the orchid bug. Our local Home Depot had a ton of Cyms at Valentine's Day but I don't think they like our hot and rainy summer.

NancyG

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Cloudswinger. Great people here with lots of helpful
information.

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by sandra

Another neighbor! Welcome cloudswinger. I've been living in Parkland since moving to Florida. At this time I'm staying in Delray but my home is still in Parkland.

I've only seen one Cym. out here and that was at Albertsons a few months ago. They're all gorgeous and wish you luck growing it here in this weather...hopefully, not outdoors? Which Lowes? Boca? Coconut Creek?

P.S. Speaking of coconuts , have you seen all the Maxillarias at the Super WalMart? Heavenly...

My name is based on an act I used to do in the FSU circus. And I'm starting a circus school in Boca.

The Lowes in Boca. I think they get new plants in on Tuesdays. I've gotten other plants there, last year I got a mini rose that's doing well this year after I practically killed it from lack of water. I also picked up some mondo grass and mexican heather, and am not doing well with the heather. Which ironically is due to lack of water since the plant is supposed to be drought resistant. I don't usually go to Walmart. Is that the new one on Hillsboro? It seems that HD doesn't discount orchids. They had some paphs(I think) at the HD in Delray a couple of days ago and I think I saw a terrestrial one there last week mixed in with the bigger landscaping plants.

I've read it's a warm growing cym, so probably I'll keep it inside with the ac. I was thinking that if I ever needed a coolish spot, I have a upright freezer that's unplugged right now. I could stick plants in overnight with a bucket of ice, leaving the door ajar for some air. I'll have to see how cold that'll get. Plus I don't have any plants yet that would need that I think.

I was talking to the people at Green Barn and Elegant Orchids, and they felt that cyms are sold as disposible plants around here, since it's hard to get them to rebloom. Same thing with Miltonias. I can't get any really finicky plants, I have a very helpful almost 4yo. She dumped half my jar of cinnamon over some orchids I was repotting. You could smell the cinnamon across the yard.

I also have an Asian veggie garden going, so I keep adding to the list of plants I'm taking care of. Like tomatoes. Everyone tells me to not grow tomatoes over the summer, and what do I do? Start seedlings in April. We'll see how that experiment works out. I've mostly been a tropical fruit and food grower up to now.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

I don't usually go to Walmart. Is that the new one on Hillsboro? It seems that HD doesn't discount orchids. They had some paphs(I think) at the HD in Delray a couple of days ago and I think I saw a terrestrial one there last week mixed in with the bigger landscaping plants.

Yes, the one on Hillsboro. HD has a lot of Oncidiums and alliances, some Paphs, Catts., Vandas, Dends. (always) and lots of terrestrials. (Boca and Delray). Right now, WalMart in Delray has loads of the Maxillarias, if you're interested.

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

I was talking to the people at Green Barn and Elegant Orchids, and they felt that cyms are sold as disposible plants around here, since it's hard to get them to rebloom.

I'm very friendly with Hyla of Green Barn (in fact, I'm on my way there now to pick up a few supplies) and Neil and the rest at Elegant Orchids. They grow all of the Phals in Hydroton and coir. I always walk around there, catching fly's...my mouth is always wide opened whenever I'm there.

[jerrymeola]

The problem with Cyms in Florida is that they need very high light almost full sun AND cold temperatures at the same time to flower.

There are a couple of dozen warm tolerant Cyms that flower in Florida. You will not find them at the big box stores and you need to trust the seller to give you true warm tolerant types.

Cym Everglades is a bright yellow you may find around.

[cloudswinger]

What about Cym erythrostyllum?

[sandra]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

The problem with Cyms in Florida is that they need very high light almost full sun AND cold temperatures at the same time to flower.

There are a couple of dozen warm tolerant Cyms that flower in Florida. You will not find them at the big box stores and you need to trust the seller to give you true warm tolerant types.

Cym Everglades is a bright yellow you may find around.

Jerry, would you happen to know where to find these?

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I look forward to seeing pictures of your orchids.

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by sandra

Jerry, would you happen to know where to find these?

It seems that they were produced by Everglades Orchids, at evergladesorchids.com. But they got out of retail and sold their stock to Carter and Holmes.