Cym Red Beauty - help with culture; and flower spike or PB? - Orchid Board

Orchidaceae · #1 11-06-2010, 11:49 PM

Hello all,

It's been a while since I bought an orchid other than phals/dendrobiums.

I recently bought a healthy and gorgeous Cymbidium noid. I suspect it's a Cymb Red Beauty, but I can't be sure. Any help in identifying will be helpful.

(i've also emailed the grower, Westerlay Orchids, CA, i hope he has the exact name)

Meanwhile, because this is my first cymbidium, I will greatly appreciate suggestions for culture.

My location: San Diego, coastal Southern California
Indoor temps: Around 65-70

How often should I water/fertilize? And what sort of fertilizers at this growth phase?

I understand these cymbs like full sun; I'm north facing and typically should get some strong morning sun. But for now, I'm enjoying the blooms by placing them indoors.

Also, while there is a strong fully-bloomed flower spike, there are also 2 new growths. One is a new PB (on the left, see picture 4), while I'm not sure about the other. Can the experts comment on it? I dont know whether I should:

1. Place it outdoors to help the new growths
2. Place it indoors to enjoy the blooms, but hinder the growth

Thanks!

Marissa · #2 11-07-2010, 01:53 AM

Hello,

Congratulations on you new and healthy Cym. I love red cymbidiums but I stay away from NOID's

I live in southern, CA (Long Beach). I have all my Cyms. outside in the shade house under a 75-80% shade cloth/net. I normally water weekly, weakly with grow more 30-10-10

Spikes are usually fat and rounded in appearance while new growths are flat.

I'm not an expert but I'm sure there's a lot of people here with more experience that can give you more information.

Goodluck,

RosieC · #3 11-07-2010, 04:38 AM

How gorgeous, those colours are wonderful.

I don't really know your conditions out there, buy many cyms prefer cooler temps. Here in the UK I keep mine (I only have the one and I'm still learning about it) outside in full sun over the summer (although you probably want to adjust it slowly to brighter light if it's used to more shade). Now we are getting frosts I've moved it into a green house which I keep just above freezing. Most Cyms like the cool weather to help set flower spikes.

When I first had mine (about a year ago) I kept it inside for several weeks to enjoy the flowers, and if I get it to flower again this year I will likely bring it in again for a few weeks. However the rest of the year I think it's best to have it outside.

rodrigo · #4 11-07-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidaceae

2. Place it indoors to enjoy the blooms

That is what I would do!
I would place it in the most lighted place in the house where the whole family (and myself) can enjoy the blooms

every day for weeks (if not months).

As a matter of fact, I do have a place inside the house for blooming plants.

Your plant seems happy, so it will probably keep on growing just fine.

Isn't that what it's all about?

Regards,

Rodrigo

Cym Ladye · #5 11-10-2010, 11:54 AM

[QUOTE=rodrigo;357473].....
I would place it in the most lighted place in the house where the whole family (and myself) can enjoy the blooms

every day for weeks (if not months)....

Orchidaceae

Standard Cymbidiums are not indoor growing plants. Bring them indoors for a brief period to bloom when the flowers start to open, no more than two to three weeks, and then in your San Diego area, take them back outside in a frost protected area to resume their growth cycle. Cut the spikes if necessary and enjoy them inside.

The best rule of thumb for the temperate climate growers in most of California is that Cyms like morning sun and afternoon shade protected from the hot afternoon sun. Aside from enjoying the blooms, there is no reason to grow your Cym in the house and, as a matter of fact, it will not do well unless you plan to go to a whole lot of unnecessary trouble which those hobbyists in the cold parts of the world have to go to in order to grow orchids at all. Even they put their Cymbidiums outside when all danger of frost has passed.

BTW, your plant is definitely NOT a Red Beauty. It may have RB as a parent but unless Westerlay can give you the cross name or parentage if it is unregistered, it is a noid. What made you think it was Red Beauty?

CL

Bobfharris · #6 11-16-2010, 01:06 AM

I agree that is may be a RB hybrid rather than RB itself. IMHO

Orchidaceae · #7 11-16-2010, 05:05 PM

hey guys,

thanks for all the helpful comments and suggestions. I don't really mind if it's a noid, although it would be nice to know. I suggested RB because it might help people give me better suggestions on cultivation techniques.

I definitely intend to grow it outdoors; but i'm a bit reluctant to cut the spike, so i'm just leaving it indoors until the blooms fade. Is this going to be detrimental to the mother plant, or should i cut the blooms before it starts to wither?

With respect to fertilizing, how often and what type should i use?

Westerlay doesn't have the name/cross. Which annoys me!

and thanks all for the very useful suggestions for growing Cyms in CA!

Cym Ladye · #8 11-17-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidaceae

hey guys,

...... I suggested RB because it might help people give me better suggestions on cultivation techniques.

I definitely intend to grow it outdoors; but i'm a bit reluctant to cut the spike, so i'm just leaving it indoors until the blooms fade. Is this going to be detrimental to the mother plant, or should i cut the blooms before it starts to wither?

With respect to fertilizing, how often and what type should i use?...

Orchidaceae,

I and others have found that RB and some of its offspring are more sensitive to frost that other cyms. On my benches, the RB crosses are the first to show signs of frost damage, so handle your plant accordingly.

The longer you can keep your plant outside, the happier it will be. Most cut stems should last several weeks in a cool house so do not be afraid to cut and enjoy, especially when the flowers start to drop while the stem is still on the plant. Treat it as you would any cut flowers with frequent water changes.

In respect to fertilizing, you will find that there are many, many different choices. Browse through some of the threads on this site and you should get an idea of what will work best in San Diego. But whatever you use, USE SOMETHING as most modern Cym. hybrids are heavy feeders. Most over-the-counter orchid foods are acceptable and a water soluble, balanced 12-12-12 formula applied weekly/weakly all year long is a good start. Also look into the slow release "pellet" forms for 6-8 months one application alternative.

I am sure others will chime in with other opinions and more technical terms. I just believe that the more simple the application, the bigger chance any fertilizer will be applied.

CL

WhiteRabbit · #9 11-17-2010, 04:14 PM

I have kept blooming cyms indoors for the duration of the blooms, and haven't had any problems with that

RosieC · #10 11-18-2010, 06:10 AM

I did the same with mine last year, and so far my new one has been inside as well.

The older one is in the cool greenhouse right now (kept just above freezing) and basically they will live there while not in flower over the winter and both will go fully outside as soon as it's warm enough.