warm growing cyms ? minimum temperature ?s
 

Hi Everyone!

A couple of wonderful OB members knowing how I love cyms sent me divisions.

From Melissa (shadytrake) I received Cym Sunshine Falls 'Butterball' - I potted it up and put it outdoors with the rest of my cyms - well, I came across one of these listed for sale on ebay and the description said it was a warm growing cym! :shock: oops!
Our overnight lows over the past few weeks have mostly been around 40 - frequently 38 - 39. The plant looks no worse for being outside in these temps, but I don't know if the temps may harm the plant ?

And from OB member Amandalee I received what appears to be an ultra-mini cym. It's a noid, pbulbs maybe about an inch. This too has been outside with the 'big boy cyms' and looks fine - but again was wondering if the temps could be harmful.

Thanks in advance :D

I put all the chids EXCEPT the Cyms in the room at 50 degrees.

The Cyms don't go anywhere unless we're expecting a frost or freeze. Then they get moved closer to the house so they have a little protection.

Thanks Sue - how low can they go do you think? Same as the usual cool growers? Just worry about frost?

The ensifoliums hybrids are said to be more succeptable to cold damage that others but grow them with the rest of my cymbidiums in Fla. So far they have had not problem at or slightly below freezing - with a water mist.

Cool - that's good to know.
thanks :)

I concur with the other White Rabbit; I have a few of the "warm" growers in my collection as well, and they have taken nights into the upper 30's on occasion and have been no worse for the wear. I've not had them in high spike with these temps though, so I am not sure if buds would pull through, but low spikes, pseudobulbs & foliage all have been fine. As a general precaution, if they are going to be cool, try to keep them dry. Good luck!
Adam

Whew! that's good to know - thanks so much :)

White Rabbit,

As I believe you grow in the same area I do, probably no more than 10 miles apart, treat the Sunshine Falls (King Arthur x madidium) as you would the rest of your cyms. I had it for years, as well as currently many other Cym. madidum hybrids, and it never failed to bloom and flourish in our climate here in the Bay Area. The only care I take during the time we are predicted to have heavy frost or a freeze lasting longer than 4 hours is to cover all my plants that are exposed to the elements with freeze cloth rated at 4 - 6 degrees frost protection.

The unknown plant is another question. I would keep it above 45 until you can find out more about it. Perhaps when it blooms. The small bulbed plants usually cannot tolerate any degree of frost or freeze. (Exceptions do occur in goeringiii and a few other species).

Keep in mind that 'Warmth tolerance" and "warm growing" are two entirely different things. The sales pitch on "warmth tolerant" plants is aimed at those people who want to have Cyms bloom but do have temps falling below 55 F. for any length of time to set bloom inflorescences. The last thing you need worry about here in Northern Cal.

Good luck,
CL

You might want to have a look at these pictures.
005 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
Cym got cold pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
007 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
This plant was in front of a door that blew open. The misting system caused the ice to form. The plant was placed on the show table at my next orchid society meeting where it was the best cymbidium shown that night. There was a slight blemish on one of the flowers where I brused the flower a little pulling off and Icycle. It is 1/4 Golden Elf which is one of the truly "Warm growing Cymbidiums". The Cross in the picture is Cym Taste of China (Kusuda shinning X sinense)

thanks - it always helps to hear advice from someone growing the same plant in the same conditions! So I will make sure Sunshine Falls is protected from frost or freeze and otherwise not worry about it ;)
The small cym has been outside as well with overnight lows frequently in the upper 30s and looks fine, but if I can make some windowsill space for it maybe I will bring it inside lol

thanks again cym :)