Cymbidium questions

[Becca]

Hi everyone, again I have a couple of more cymbidium questions. First I would like to say, the cymbidium pictures I posted a while back in a different posting, I meant know harm towards the person I bought them from, they seem to doing alright despite the one that is still pushing sap out from the stem leaves and psuedobulb, and there is no spike nor division point on this plant. I guess I just need to stop worrying and just let it be and see what happens. The one that is pusing sap out is also forming new roots I do believe, or at least I see little nubs at the base of the psuedubulb that looks like they might becove roots (yes I love looking closely at my plants!)

Anyways....my two questions: The person who I bought my cymbidiums recommended me to put the plants outside since the weather is nice enough.....this weekend it will be in the mid 80's and low's will be mid 50's. I am fine with that, my question is one of the plants is in a black plastic nursery pot which sits on a humidty tray of pebbles and water. I tried to postition the plants to wear they would be shaded throughout the day since it will be sunny all day long. Will this black pot and the sun cook the plant? Can cymbidiums handle alot of sun? I read somewhere they only needed 20% shade but I am not quite sure what that translates too. Next week it is supposed to rain, should I bring it doors then? I would hate to have the plants over watered since I already water them about once a week.
Please let me know your opinions and thanks a bunch! Oh, and sorry about the long post!

[smartie2000]

For standard cymbidiums a temps drop does initiate help initiate blooms. I will soon have to put my cym. outside because they will grow better as well.

Cymbidiums do handle a lot of sun. Generally orchids with grassy foliage will take higher light, and it is a evolutionary trend. Orchids with broad leaves also tend to take less light such as phals.

I had mine near a tree...still it wasn't very shady. I had other a standard and a chinese cymbidium. (Chinese cymbidiums don't need as much light)

[Ray]

Be sure to transition plants into brighter conditions.

Just like you, who would get a burn if you spent the day outside in full sun after a winter indoors, the plants will similarly fry.

[Ironwood]

A colored florist sleeve that florist use to dress up their pots can be turned inside out so silver side is out and pulled over pot to help reflect heat away from pot. Just don't forget to cut out bottom for proper drainage. Also inserting the cymbidium pot into a larger clay pot helps for stability when the wind blows. The rain outside won't bother them, we had an extremely wet summer here last year to the point of some things drowning in my garden and my cymbidium set outside through it all. It looks like this right now.

[Shadow]

Nice idea with the florist sleeve.

Beautiful cymb, by the way! The colour is so delicate.

[Ray]

I don't worry too much about the pot color. If the plant is watered correctly, evaporation will keep the roots cool.

[Becca]

Another question I have on this same topic.....if it is about 75 to 80 during the day and the humidity is low for where I live but I am using a humidity tray that needs filled about every two days when the plant is outside, is it normal to need to water more often, such as if I watered on Friday and then needing to water again on Monday? Since the plant is in a black pot it is hard for me to judge and it is planted in Aussie Gold Orchid mix and the first couple of inches looked pretty dry and I was told cymbidiums like to not dry out in between waterings.

[Lagoon]

My orchids that are outside do need to have more watering done. There getting more light, more air circulation and it's growing season - their just growing faster during the warmer months.
In anything planted it's always the first top layer to dry out first, So not to worry about that.

Mine are potted in peatmoss and coarse rok, its moist and airy. I use a skewer as a watering guide. When my mix is headed to just damp I water

PS - I just realize how old this thread is, LOL!
So how are ya doin' with it all??

[Des]

Black pots can get to be quite warm in the African sun I use KFC styreen buckets with the bottom cut out, a 9 inch pot fits nice and snuggly into them