The Orchid Garden

Cymbidium spiking?

Question:

Can a cymbidium sprout spikes AND new bulbs simultaneously?  This week’s cool snap has produced a flurry of activity, and some are obviously new bulbs.  Or, did I mess up again this year?  If so, next year, I’m going to try to find some place in the yard where it wll get more sun. Dan

  Yes, it is not that unusual to have both appearing almost simultaneously,  although the plant may have a problem in producing a really good spike with  lots of flowers as it is dividing its energy in trying to grow both.     Cymbidiums, as a general rule, do like a lot of sun but depending upon where  you live may require some overhead protection from the mid-day sun.   A  southern exposure is ideal but a little east or west will be okay too.  During  the summer, feel the leaf temperature and if it feels very warm to hot to the  touch, better give it some overhead shading of at least 50%.  Many nurseries  and garden centers have shadecloth available.    Cymbidiums need good air movement around them, so try not to crowd them  together too closely, a minimum of a pot diameter apart is needed, more is  better.  Also, if possible, try to raise them above ground level (1 to 2 feet  is good) to help increase the air flow around the pots.  With the increased  air flow and sun, you may have to water them a little more frequently during  hot periods of the year as the pots will dry out much more quickly.  Most cyms  love water when it is hot and windy.   Hope the above helps a little. Jim Kawasaki

Response:

Dear Dan Sounds like you are into the Cymbidium shuffle.  I have moved about 50 plants every year to a new experimental spot around our property.  I have finally found the right amount of light on our deck with a latticed shade to keep them from burning.  And they also look pretty good (even when not in bloom).  We live in Santa Cruz in mid-northern california, and I am starting to get some flower spikes.  A few of the spikes are ready to bloom on a few of the miniatures and a few of the full size variety.  And, there are still new bulbs developing on the same plants.  Maybe you have also learned the importance of changing the fertilizer formula in about August from high nitrogen to a lower nitrogen mix.  

I start in September, and this year I was desperate, and cheated, using a 12-56-6 to encourage blooming.  But, I only got to use it one time before the early cool snap. Even tho it’s hard to kill a cymbidium, it’s been hard for me to get them to bloom very consistently.

I get the impression from what I’ve read that they don’t like daily temps in the mid-to-upper ninties, and it hit 100 several times this summer.  But it didn’t seem to bother them.  I bring them inside, or at least onto the front porch when heavy frost threatens or temps drop below freezing.  Always inside the temps drop below about 30. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For some reason I have always been willing to baby the orchid "insiders" but expected the Cymbidiums to fend for themselves.  I guess they have taught me. Good luck,  Barbara Canada

Response:

Can a cymbidium sprout spikes AND new bulbs simultaneously?  This week’s cool snap has produced a flurry of activity, and some are obviously new bulbs.  Or, did I mess up again this year?  If so, next year, I’m going to try to find some place in the yard where it wll get more sun. Dan

Response:

Can a cymbidium sprout spikes AND new bulbs simultaneously?  This week’s cool snap has produced a flurry of activity, and some are obviously new bulbs.  Or, did I mess up again this year?  If so, next year, I’m going to try to find some place in the yard where it wll get more sun. Dan

Dear Dan Sounds like you are into the Cymbidium shuffle.  I have moved about 50 plants every year to a new experimental spot around our property.  I have finally found the right amount of light on our deck with a latticed shade to keep them from burning.  And they also look pretty good (even when not in bloom).  We live in Santa Cruz in mid-northern california, and I am starting to get some flower spikes.  A few of the spikes are ready to bloom on a few of the miniatures and a few of the full size variety.  And, there are still new bulbs developing on the same plants.  Maybe you have also learned the importance of changing the fertilizer formula in about August from high nitrogen to a lower nitrogen mix.   Even tho it’s hard to kill a cymbidium, it’s been hard for me to get them to bloom very consistently. For some reason I have always been willing to baby the orchid "insiders" but expected the Cymbidiums to fend for themselves.  I guess they have taught me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good luck,  Barbara Canada

Response:

Filed under: Cymbidium Orchids

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