Help!! Which Cymbidium do I buy?

[Grandma M]

I'm thinking of Cym. Nut 'Red Beauty' or Chen Ruby 'Golden Tiger'.

Which would flower most often, be more adaptable to growing under lights, be a more reliable grower, and bloomer? I prefer to try just one to see what kind of success I might have growing one.

Marilyn

[stonedragonfarms]

Marilyn:
I have Chens Ruby, and it is rather diminuitive in the foliage department, but it has super long roots; I do not have Nut, but it sizes out about the same as Golden Elf. I think either would be fine under lights during the winter, especially if you are able to place them outside and in a brighter location over the summer months. I can not tell you about bloom frequency of either; Chen's Ruby blooms just once a year for me, but this is probably due to my growing it under cool conditions. Hopefully the others will chime in,
Adam

[Bobfharris]

Hi Grandma M
I've grown both here in Hawaii. Nut blooms ususally in winter and has a very tall straight spike with quite a few flowers on it and blooms once a year. Chen's Ruby tends to bloom in summer to fall and has fewer flowers per spike but larger flowers. For me it also blooms once a year.
Color is dramatically different and that might be one thing to consider.
Good Luck!

[Grandma M]

Thanks Adam and Bob. You make both of them sound tempting. Possibly I should eat rice and beans for the next month and order one of each. Two different seasons of blooms would be nice.

Marilyn

[LugiaLover]

I have a chens ruby too, and I will vouch for it. The flowers are fragrant, and they also have an intresting color selection. But it's foliage is kind of gross. It's really easy to take care of, though.

[Izzie]

I was going to post "a healthy one!" but then I saw you're trying to chose between two. They're both beautiful!

[got ants]

I think some of you guys and gals are slacking.

The most obvious answer should have been, get them both. You know you are going to regret not purchasing both, so go ahead and get both. Trust me, I speak from experience.

Besides, I like rice and beans ( well, maybe the wifey doesn't so much...phew!!!)