First Chinese Cymbidium... Suggestion?

[Fabolusus]

I've wanted a Cym for a while, but have been concerned about how large they get (I grow indoors, under lights) and that they need a major drop in temperature to initiate spikes. I've been reading articles on Chinese cyms, and from what I've read it looks like there are some that stay relatively compact, and don't require a temp change. I was thinking maybe Cym. ensifolium var. alba Iron Bone Sue Sing, Cym. kanran, or Cym. sinense. Can anyone give me some advise?

[Fabolusus]

[Tess1]

Fabuloso, I saw some chinese ground orchids at the show in Maroondah. I did not get hold of the scientific name, but they are small beautiful plants, they were presented in squat pots, planted in earth. (I found this on google):

http://www.tesselaar.net.au/growingg...d-orchid.aspey

[Tess1]

Actually fabulosus, the ground orchid is of course not a cymbidium. Have you googled for one?

[WIB]

I don't think a temperature drop would be a problem in Philadelphia. Size, of course, is more of a hassle. But I've had excellent luck treating a regular cymbidium as a more-or-less ordinary houseplant. As soon as danger of frost is past, I send it to summer camp in the (north-facing) back yard and leave it out until temperatures dip to almost freezing in the fall. It's still outdoors as I write. Then I bring it in and keep it on the south side of the house near a window. It hasn't needed any particular fussing, and in late winter it puts up spikes of pure primrose-yellow, fragrant flowers that last for weeks. Recently I divided it, so I've got one for home and one for the office. Bang-for-the-buck, it's one of the most worthwhile of my houseplants, although I'll grant that it takes some space.

[Tess1]

fabuloso, why don't you just buy a miniature cymbid? they are great and don't take up too much room.

[Fabolusus]

The problem I have is that I live in an apartment in center city, with no yard. So putting anything outside for any amount of time is out of the question. I thought that Chinese cyms were among the smallest cyms?

[WIB]

I don't think you can get away from the need for a temperature drop. Even the Chinese cymbidiums need night temperatures at least in the low 50s if not 40s in order to set bloom spikes. I think they prefer more shade than the regular cyms, which tolerate full sun, though.

[Fabolusus]

I guess I just wanted something that has attractive foliage, and would look nice in one of those Chinese cymbidium vase style pots. Maybe Sigmatostalix radicans or Eria javanica would look just as nice.

[WIB]

Indeed. I understand the longing. I have a mournful wish that I could grow pleurothallids, but I doubt whether I could get away with them without a major investment in Wardian cases or something. For foliage, though, I'm head-over-heels in love with my jewel orchids, but I don't suppose they'd particularly complement the Chinese pot. My Ludisia discolor stops my heart every time I look at it, and it needs only slightly more light than a mushroom. The Macodes petola, which wouldn't do in that pot at all, has been slow to settle in and a little touchy, but the leaves make me want to sing a little with their gorgeous golden veins and brocade-like texture. And it has just put out new side growth, with leaves the size of a small ladybug already showing the glint. The flowers of the Macodes aren't much at all; those of the Ludisia kind of look like hen-and-chicks, but they're cute and last for weeks.