just bought my first cymbidium!

[fishmommy]

Ok, deep breaths here.
I bought a miniature cymbidium.
My plan is to grow it under my HPS light (3000 - 4000 fc)
and then in the fall put it in my garage every night for a temperature drop until it gets below freezing at night.

Advice? Critiques? I would appreciate your guidance in getting this thing to bloom for me

[WhiteRabbit]

I can't really offer advice as far as the lights, I only grow Cyms outdoors. Are you able to grow this outdoors at all, while weather permits? I don't know if miniatures generally require the cool period or not, or if it just depends on the parents. Does it have a name?

Cyms don't want to dry out. Media should retain moisture, but be well draining. Lots of light, fertilizer while it is growing.

Good luck!

[fishmommy]

I *could* put it outside in the summer but hate hate hate the chance of BUGS

It's Cymbidium Mimi 'Mary Bea'

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by fishmommy

I *could* put it outside in the summer but hate hate hate the chance of BUGS

It's Cymbidium Mimi 'Mary Bea'

I don't have much trouble with pests on the cyms - mostly aphids on buds, and this year snails chowed on blooms but not much trouble when not in bud or bloom - BUT certainly an understandable concern, and I don't know what types of pests you may have where you live.

I can't really see anywhere if this one is warmth tolerant, maybe someone else can advise on that. It does seem that even 'warmth tolerant' need slightly cool temps for spikes, just not quite as cool. - according to here CYMBIDIUM CARE
altho SBOE lists it as 'cool growing' rather than temperature tolerant, so I guess it does want more or a cool period

Looking for light requirements by FC - ok, I see 3000-4500 FCs.

(You probably already had already done this homework, huh? I just grow them outside and have no idea what amount of FCs they may need, nor much about warmth tolerance lol - now I know!)

So, your plan sounds ok - I'm sure others will have advice, and I as always defer to those with more knowledge and experience growing Cyms than I.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[fishmommy]

thanks!
yeah, under the light I can keep it nice and cool but outside not so much....thus my plan to grow it artificially.

How many months of cooling do they need?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by fishmommy

thanks!
yeah, under the light I can keep it nice and cool but outside not so much....thus my plan to grow it artificially.

How many months of cooling do they need?

They don't need to be cool always - mine are outside in summer heat, tho nights are generally coolish, but they have taken short periods over 100, shade by mid-day is helpful in the heat. They are very tough plants, take a bit below freezing for short periods, and a bit over 100 for short periods.

What I am seeing doing a quick search regarding the cool night period duration is 6-8 weeks. (see, something else I learned! I really had no idea! lol)

[fishmommy]

super! Thank you!
I think I can do September - November and then it gets too cold outside

[lambelkip]

hybrids like that with Cym pumilum in the background generally should not be allowed to get very hot in the summer (100 is way too hot, 90 for brief periods might be ok)
they also don't really need the cool off in winter (Cym pumilum is more of a tropical/subtropical species, so there's not such an extreme change between seasons)
they also flower at unpredictable times, and occasionally flower more than once in a year.

[Cym Ladye]

In my experience, Cym. Mimi 'Mary Bea' carries little of the pumilum culture idiocentricities and is easily grown and bloomed in general Cym. culture. Take it outside now and place it in a semi-shaded location (morning sun/afternoon shade) until frost. Then bring it in and grow it under your lights.

Bugs are all part of nature and definitely a part of orchid growing. Some are beneficial and some are a nuisance. Cyms generally do not take well to year-round inside culture - not enough light or air movement. Just deal with the bugs when they show up or use prevent methods to convince them to go elsewhere!

CL

[fishmommy]

thanks everyone!