Cymbidium bud blast

[jsehorn]

This is my first experience growing Cymbidium orchids in the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR). I tried before when I lived in Oklahoma, but was unsuccessful because of the hot summers.

I got all excited when my Cymbidium (standard, not mini) started to grow flower spikes. I have kept inside since October or so. I keep it in a room by a sunny window, and I don't use that room for much else, so it stays cooler than the rest of the house, and there is a difference between night and day temps. I'd say it rarely gets above 65 degrees in that room during the day, which I have been under the impression is acceptable as far as temperature and light goes.

However, a couple weeks ago, when the spikes were about six inches tall or so, they began to brown, and all of them (there were seven) are very brown and shriveled and clearly are not going to bloom. I thought I had the light and temperature right, so what else could have happened? I love Cymbidiums and I want to grow them so bad! I gave it a try in Oklahoma, and that was an abysmal failure, but I was thinking it would be easier here. I love the Cymbidiums... I love them good. Where am I going wrong? I can't figure it out!

[Ron]

Hi, Cymbidiums do really best outdoors, plenty of fresh air, warmth and good light.
Indoors at maximum of 65f is really borderline as far as I can see.
I do not know what you outdoor temperature is now, but outdoors Cymbidiums under cover from rain and frost can go down to around 40F at night with out too much of a problem, especially if plants are kept on the dry side.
Day Temps of from 60 to 80F in the flower season will be beneficial for the plants and flowering spikes