Ultra Miniature Cyms - Orchid Board

Cattleya17 · #1 09-15-2008, 04:56 PM

hello im very new to cyms! i really wanna try them. the standards are to big and the minis arent even miniature. then i saw the ultra minis at Santa Barbra Orchid Estate! i love them all, especially the ones they call teacup cyms! Can you tell me about them and if i can put them under lights for the winter? I hear cyms are easy so im really excited! letting them get cool in the fall and early winter is no prob (I live in the Lower hudson Valley of NY) just keep them that way till the flowers begin to open so they dont blast Right??
Well Thanks A Ton In Advance to all of those that help me!!!!!!

stonedragonfarms · #2 09-16-2008, 08:30 AM

The term teacup cymbidium can be a bit of a misnomer...I have a couple of them, and while it is true that the foliage and pseudobulbs stay comparitively small in relation to miniature cymbidiums, the roots/root mass still gets very substantial. I grew them in 6" pots for a time, but have found that they perform better for me in the deep nursery pots that I use for most of my other cymbidiums. As for cool temps, a few of them in the Sweetheart line are fairly tolerant of warm temperatures, though the flowers will color up better and hold longer under cool day/night temps...but that is another whole thread completely. In your shopping I would suggest that you look for some of the Cym. goeringii hypbrids that are coming into the market; the foliage/pbulbs tend to max out around 18", and the root ball stays relatively compact; most are also able to grow well with less light (which would be a + under lights). Hope this is of some help, good growing,
Adam

Cattleya17 · #3 09-16-2008, 10:18 AM

So the root system still gets large. is that a bad thing, or does that mean it will out grow the pot and thus need larger? there is one at SBOE that they say stays under 1.5 feet and i like the flowers! i really wanna know if they will stand the winter (only) under two 40 watt flourescent plant lights? i Have a place for it in my basement if necessary that isnt heated and is a south facing window but does not go below freezing maybe mid 40's or low 50's. Do i sound stupid? will my ideas work? i guess ill never know unless i try right? i could put them as close to the lights as i can without scorching them. Just shooting ideas... Thank you!

unhappykat · #4 09-16-2008, 11:25 PM

You should be fine with them under lights for the winter but you may want to consider more than just two forty watt bulbs, maybe use three double lamp fixtures about four inches away from the foliage for best growing conditions for the winter. Your temps sound like they would be suitable for them as well. If roots get to be a problem you may need to rethink your growing space, though I find most cyms bloom better when pot bound, watch carefully though as they may try to lift them selves out of the pot, It doesnt hurt to root whack once in a while with them though.

Jerry Delaney · #5 09-17-2008, 01:46 AM

The term 'miniature' gets rather confusing when dealing with Cymbidiums. I think most of us when we hear the term "miniature" automatically think of a rather small plant. However, when dealing with Cymbidiums the term has nothing to do with the size of the vegetative growth but refers to the size of the flowers. I'm not sure exactly what size flower determines if it is a standard or a miniature. I don't think I ever heard of these "tea cup Cymbidium".

unhappykat · #6 09-17-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Delaney

The term 'miniature' gets rather confusing when dealing with Cymbidiums. I think most of us when we hear the term "miniature" automatically think of a rather small plant. However, when dealing with Cymbidiums the term has nothing to do with the size of the vegetative growth but refers to the size of the flowers. I'm not sure exactly what size flower determines if it is a standard or a miniature. I don't think I ever heard of these "tea cup Cymbidium".

The new 'miniature' cymbidiums appearing from places like Santa Barbara are begining to utilize the compact and pendant species to produce plants with flowers that may be only one half to one quarter the size of 'Standard' cymbidiums but appear on plants that are generally under two feet in height at maturity and remain in a tight clumpinf form instead of the spreading habit of most. They are refining their breeding to increase flower size while keeping the foliage more manageable. They are still generations away from truly miniature cymbidiums though.

Jerry Delaney · #7 09-17-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unhappykat

The new 'miniature' cymbidiums appearing from places like Santa Barbara are begining to utilize the compact and pendant species to produce plants with flowers that may be only one half to one quarter the size of 'Standard' cymbidiums but appear on plants that are generally under two feet in height at maturity and remain in a tight clumpinf form instead of the spreading habit of most. They are refining their breeding to increase flower size while keeping the foliage more manageable. They are still generations away from truly miniature cymbidiums though.

I always found it interesting that some of the Cymbibiums like madidum were refered to as "miniature" when madidum can get quite large vegetatively. Oh well, I'm confused most of the time anyway!!

ottercottage · #8 09-17-2008, 04:45 PM

Olympic Orchids has a Cymbidium Sweetheart Elegance in a 2.5" pot for $8.00. Mine is about 6" tall. If you want to give the teacups a try, you may want to start with this one. There's a description of the orchid there. Just Google Olympic Orchids and you'll find it. I do a lot of business with them and they also have great deals on cork and driftwood mounts.

Cattleya17 · #9 09-17-2008, 05:14 PM

Well i talked to the man that runs the greenhouse at SBOE that he has one Cymbidium Caitlain 'Pink Delight'
that is heat tolerant. and is about 16 inches tall. he said that with the bloom spike that its 2 feet tall. now in regards to warmth tolerance what exactly does that mean??? help me understand. i was gonna order that plant today but i did not because i wanted to absolutely sure about what they need before i buy it. that would be foolish to buy something i may not be able to care for dont you think?

unhappykat · #10 09-17-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cattleya17

Well i talked to the man that runs the greenhouse at SBOE that he has one Cymbidium Caitlain 'Pink Delight'
that is heat tolerant. and is about 16 inches tall. he said that with the bloom spike that its 2 feet tall. now in regards to warmth tolerance what exactly does that mean??? help me understand. i was gonna order that plant today but i did not because i wanted to absolutely sure about what they need before i buy it. that would be foolish to buy something i may not be able to care for dont you think?

Warmth tolerant means that the plants dont need to experience the temperatures under fifty in order to spike. These plants can also take temps up to and over 100 without damage. They are however not as hardy as standards and require a bit of protection if you plan outside culture, good choice for under lights and large window sills.