Confused about Cymbidiums - Orchid Board

chiirioz · #1 05-14-2017, 12:10 PM

I'm a bit confused about Cymbidiums - just starting to get into these lovely plants due in part to the lack of space in my apartment... I finally did some spring cleaning and I've made some space.

I keep reading differing articles about Cymbidiums and how this orchid is a terrestrial or semi-terrestrial orchid. Most people recommend Coir or Coco Husk. I am not a fan of using either as potting material for any of my orchids so I don't want to purchase a bag just for this one plant.

I've potted my Cym in 85% small Orchiata bark and 10% mix of mostly sponge rock, some charcoal, hydroton to give it some "air" pockets + a few threads of chopped sphag for added humidity. I'm guessing I will probably have to water it more than people who keep it in Coir and even peat moss... Not really worried about killing it - I hear they are very hardy.

Any thoughts?

(Side note: the Cymbidium came in the mail with this spot on its leaf - I think it's just sunburn or bruising from shipping. Keeping it quarantined for now: LINK. Someone mentioned it could be a fungal infection)

Dollythehun · #2 05-14-2017, 12:34 PM

I am new to Cymbs also. I had extensive help a couple of months ago. If you go to the search bar and look for Cymbs, you will find answers to those same questions I asked (repeatedly).

estación seca · #3 05-14-2017, 12:44 PM

Cymbidiums get a lot of spots on their leaves. Your potting mixture should be fine. Most hybrids are very tolerant of most conditions, but they don't want to go dry.

rbarata · #4 05-14-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

just starting to get into these lovely plants due in part to the lack of space in my apartment... I finally did some spring cleaning and I've made some space.

Cymbs are huge plants. The biggest ones I have are in clay pots with over 12 in, so that you can get an idea.

MattWoelfsen · #5 05-14-2017, 02:33 PM

It all depends on where the Cymbidium comes from. I have Chinese Cymbidium and they are on the smaller side. They are semi-terrestrial and I am growing them in akadama--the same "soil" used to grow bonsai. Most of the pseudo bulbs grow no larger than a ping pong ball, leaves are no longer than 12".

On the other hand, I also have Cym 'Black Sambo'. It's pseudo bulb is as large as a baseball. It's leaves are over 24" in length.

There is a person in here named Cymlady who is very helpful and knowledgeable about Cymbidium. Maybe she can opine?

What is the name of your Cymbidium?

rbarata · #6 05-14-2017, 02:46 PM

Quote:

It all depends on where the Cymbidium comes from. I have Chinese Cymbidium and they are on the smaller side. They are semi-terrestrial and I am growing them in akadama--the same "soil" used to grow bonsai. Most of the pseudo bulbs grow no larger than a ping pong ball, leaves are no longer than 12".

True, but cymbs are not very suitable to grow indoors, even the smallest are too big for someone who said having problems with space.

chiirioz · #7 05-14-2017, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarata

True, but cymbs are not very suitable to grow indoors, even the smallest are too big for someone who said having problems with space.

I'm certain mine will grow quite vigorously. Currently, mine is a single bulb with a new growth so very young and likely not going to see flowers for another 2 years or so. I will be hanging it when it does get to a more unmanageable size... and will probably be the last of the 'big' orchids I ever purchase... until I move

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

What is the name of your Cymbidium?

My Cymbidium is a cross between the Cym. Yamanashi Fire x Cym. Street Tango - a "Koushu Fire" - excited to see the blooms but I understand it will not be blooming size for a few years. For now, I will enjoy this as a indoor plant adding some greenery.

Many sources say they need some outdoor grow time and need a temp drop but I will try my hand at indoor space. My window is very bright and NYC gets hot and humid in the summer with temps this week going up to 90F and the South facing sun will certainly scorch the young leaves.

Maybe I will try to (illegally) hang it over the hand rails of the fire escape when the temps are closer to 70-80F.

estación seca · #8 05-14-2017, 03:22 PM

Cymbidium foliage is, surprisingly for such thin leaves, much tougher in hot sun than most other orchids. So long as they are healthy and well-watered, the temperatures you mention probably won't lead to any leaf damage at all. If you have any concerns just aim a small fan at the plant in the window. This will keep the leaves to ambient temperature but allow them to get as much sun as possible, which they like.

Roberta · #9 05-14-2017, 06:54 PM

It definitely needs outdoor light and temperature range. If possible, try to keep it outside until very near frost in the fall (these things can take down to 29 deg. F with no damage) Heat isn't a problem at all. A little mid-day shading is about all they want. But that cool jolt in the fall is really important to set spikes.

Cym Ladye · #10 05-16-2017, 05:18 PM

Chiirios, I fear you will have problems with growing your plant year round in your apartment without some type of grow-lite. Not only do Cyms need the air movement mentioned above, but they also need more sunlight than most people realize. You do have a small plant (1 growth) but the lack of light will cause weak growths to form and it may never grow a bulb capable of blooming.

If at all possible, find a way to put it outside during the summer. If the only "outside" you have is the fire escape, you are in a definite pickle.

.

As far as your mix is concerned, go with a combo of fine and med Orchiata with about 10% coarse Perlite (#3 Sponge Rok). You can mix up to 50% Coco husk but I would not recommend ground coir as holding too much water. Any mix you can put together and which will drain well works for Cyms. They are not fussy IF they can drain. Do not get wrapped up too much in semantics.

There are small hybrids coming from the small Asian species which do stay small and the occasional small plant from other miniature hybrid breeding. I just bloomed out a cross of (Dolly x eburneum) where the plants had eight to ten small bulbs in a 5" pot and had two spikes of 7 sparkling white, starry flowers each. The foliage measured only 10" long. A perfect plant for apartment dwellers if you can give it enough light. (No, not available commercially as it was a "what if" cross made by a fellow, hobbyiest friend).

In the future and for other apartment dwellers with limited space, I would look for warmth tolerant miniature Cyms. These will not only be small but they do NOT not need the temperature drop the Standard and most Novelty sized do.