Confusion About Cymbidium

[CharliesAngel51]

In Nov my sister bought a cym for me. It had 3 blooming spikes. I tried to take a pic but apparently the battery on my camera was low so no pic. I didn't realize this until it had stopped blooming. My confusion is that the AOS culture sheet says to water heavily during the growth period which it says should end late spring and to keep barely moist during the winter. Either I am confused or the cym is. It is winter and my cym has new growth. Should I water heavily or keep it barely moist. It had such pretty blooms that I sure want to have it repeat the show for me. Especially since I didn't even get a pic. It was a noid from Costco. Really pretty. I have been putting it outside in the sun the last few days since it is cool and I think it needs the extra light. I have been bringing it in late afternoon as it has been getting down below 40 at night . ,,,

[Ron]

Hi
Winter watering.
Depends on the temperature in winter, if it is in a frosty area, no point in watering as the roots are dormant.
If around 40f at night and sunny warm days of 60F+ or so. At least once a week and a good watering.
The new growth usually do not form new roots until they are about 18 inches high or several months old.
They are living of the mother & back bulb.
Were I live it can get down to the low 30's and all plants are outside. Covered.
I water about once a week. Even in the middle of winter, day temps can get up to or around high 60's to 70+.
then again a lot depends on how heavy or open mix you use.
A lot of info off the web pages are a general guide and local info and growing conditions also need to be look at.
Best of luck
Ron

[amersault]

hey, there -

i'm probably the closest one there to you by proximity in SoCal.

my rule of thumb is to water them once a week in the winter - enough so the water runs out to the saucer at the bottom of the pot. in the summer, it might be 2x a week depending on how hot/dry it gets.

during the Fall/Winter rains, i drag the plants out to soak the downpour. they will take full sun at this stage due to the mild sunlight of winter. during the summer, they are under a protected West-facing porch area w/ bright light.

on temps - don't bring it in! all the fluctuations in temperature will do it more harm than good! i keep mine out and it's been down to the 30's here (33 lowest).

so leave it out - they are tought little plants

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks Ron, I live in So Cal in the Los Angeles area. Night temps in the low 40's sometimes colder and the daytime temps are usually in the 60s to 80s. Right now we are having cooler weather, just about 60. I have no idea what the cym is potted in. It is just the way it came from the store. The potting mix is very dark, I would even say black.It seems to be porous as the water runs right through when I water it. When I stick my finger down in the pot it feels like a coarse grainy soil.

I really prefer to use bark. It seems a little more forgiving if I overwater. I have killed two orchids that were planted in spag when I got them.

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks Amersault, I was really wondering if the change in temp when I bring it in at night was harmful. Just didn't want it to freeze. I have a covered patio that faces west maybe I could just put it under that closer to the house on really cold nights. I really would prefer to grow my orchids inside where I can enjoy them but it seems like most of them prefer to be outside where they get more light. Maybe I will just have to spend more time outside.

[amersault]

i have killed 2 Cyms when i first began, bc i didn't know they do poorly indoors.

the key to this is bright light and lots of air circulation. hence, why they do better outdoors.

your covered patio is perfect.

on repotting, don't mess around w/ them too much - they really do like to be potbound. i usually repot when the plant is overgrown and almost overflowing the pot. but that would take a few years, tops.

[kmarch]

I have about a dozen or so cymbidiums and they do not seem to follow the seasons regarding when they send out new growths. If a new growth starts in autumn or winter when it is cool they progress very, very slowly until it gets warm again. When summer (or winter as the case may be) comes around I give them summer or winter care regardless of the status of the new growths.

[CharliesAngel51]

tHE TEMPS i WAS GIVING IN MY PREVIOUS POST WAS WINTER TEMPS. oUR SUMMERS ARE MUCH WARMER. HOT !!!

[davetheorchidaddict]

I leave my Cym's out year around now, killed a few taking them into the greenhouse in winter, I do put them on the ground and cover them with a plant blanket when the temperature gets below the mid 30's, have had more blooms now. My Black Sambo it putting out a bloom spike now - it is always the first to do that each year.

[Hummer344]

I am in San Jose and my cyms stay out all year around. Protected if the temps get close to freezing. Its pretty cool up here right now and they get water when I remember, usually every 10-14 days. Ummmmm that reminds me I had better water them pretty soon. LOL. IMHO, watering once a week is to much during the winter but you are a bit warmer than I am. Do you use skewers in your plants to test the mositure content? You might try that to see how long it takes the plants to dry out. Just get a package of bamboo skewers from the store and stick one in when you water the plant and leave it. After a week check the skewer. If its near dry, water, if its still damp don't water. Works pretty good. Good Luck

[CharliesAngel51]

Yes Hummer I do use skewers to test for moisture. It certainly is better than guessing. I lost a couple of orchids due to wrong guessing.

[hulaorchid]

My Cyms. are just getting ready to open. I've had frost warnings a couple times. Due to fear of losing my blooms I cover just in case. Since it is the fist time in 2 yrs they have bloomed. I have been told that they are ok outside without cover in our area. I am not that far from you either. I water once a week too in winter. Good luck

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks Jaqui,
Yes I noticed your location. Not far from me at all. I go through Corona when I go visit my daughter in San Jacinto. I have moved it outside to stay. Was advised that bringing it in at night was probably doing more harm than good. I will just watch the weather forecasts and take steps to protect it.

Margaret