Cymbidiums

[orchidaddict789]

Where do you grow your cyms? Indoors or outside or somewhere else? Orchid books are giving conflicting info, one saying they're an "easy houseplant" and the other saying they "make poor houseplants." I would guess that because of their need for high light levels that it would be preferabe be grown outside, but of course, there are a lot more than one way to grow orchids. (If you put them outside for the summer because winter's too cold, that counts as "outside"). What do you do?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I grow outside in summer while temps are above freezing. Then they go into a coldframe, attached to the side of my GH, with a very small hole into the GH at each end. The lid opens and closes with a heat motor, and a small clip-on fan comes on with the GH heaters, same thermostat, blowing down the length of the coldframe, greating a slight pressure from one end to the other, and causing a small air exchange with the GH.

I picked up two new Cymbidiums from SBOE this fall, a Thethy's 'Black Magic" and a Ricon "Clarisse" 4N, both in late bud stage. So of course these went into the living room to enjoy, instead of the coldframe. Very interesting was that the Thethys began to drop buds, one by one, while the Rincon buds carried on and started to open. Finally had to put the Thethys out into the coldframe, and was able to save the last 3 flowers. Both were undoubtedly in the same conditions in Santa Barbara, but they reacted differently in a home. The Rincon has been supporting 4 magnificent spikes with no problem in my relatively low light living room. The Thetys is back in the living room with the 3 flowers, now that they are open, with no problem. I would say that one is OK for home growing, and one is not, provided you have enough light. On the other hand, the warm growing Cyms like Dag and dayana, I would expect to do OK. My pbase site below, with some of these Cyms. Also, my section on my temp GH, with pictures of the coldframe. Cynthia
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/orchid_collection
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/temporary_greenhouse

[orchidaddict789]

Thanks, Cynthia. Wow, your site has so many beautiful pictures! You must have a very nice orchid greenhouse!

I think I'm going to put mine (Cym. Dag) outside during the summer. It's supposed to be warm growing, so what's the best temperature for it? Also, is cym. dag a primary hybrid? It looks kind of "species-ish"...

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I put my standards outdoors, but my Dag has always been in the GH. Also, this last year I have had it hanging in the brightest, hottest end of the GH, with very regular watering, every other day during summer. Down to every 3 or 4 days now. I just checked the RHS naming site. I counted five different species in the back ground. If you want to look, here is the site, but stay within the pink box on the first page. http://www.rhs.org.uk/research/regis...chidsearch.asp Think I will continue to keep all the warm growers in the GH, like dayana, alifolium, devonianum, lancifolium, and madidum. At least I think these are warm growers. Small plants, which many of these are, are a concern outdoors. Too easy to lose track of them, and they don't get watered properly . And there is no reserve if something adverse happens. Cynthia