When should cymbidiums start to spike?

[andrew__]

I bought my first Cymbidium last December already in bud so I don't know when I should start to see any development (assuming of course that it got cool enough this fall to set spikes at all).

[camille1585]

Cymbidiums aren't my area of knowledge so I'm not 100% sure of what I'm saying, but if I believe that there are winter blooming cyms, and spring blooming Cyms. When it was in bloom when you buy it means nothing since the growers know how to manipulate bloom times. For example, I bought mine in bloom in March or April, and now it spikes early september. For the winter bloomers I think spikes should appear around now, and the spring bloomers would set spikes probably around xmas. But I may be wrong.

As for temperatures, they don't respond to a cooling down in the fall. What they need is a fairly large difference between day and night temperatures, mostly during the summer. Usually keeping them outdoors all summer in strong light with plenty of food will be enough to make them initiate spikes a while later. I'm at a similar latitide as you and I found out this summer that they need full south sun all day (get them used to it slowly) if you hope to see blooms. The leaves need to be light green. I wasn't giving enough light the previous years.

[andrew__]

Thanks a lot that really clears a lot of things up. I suspect mine could use more light as the leaves are fairly dark, I'll move mine over a little so it's more centered in the window. We'll see if the temperatures were enough for it to set spike or not now I guess! If it doesn't though at least the plant is healthy and looks good so I could always give it a go next year.