|
Cymbidium Ivy Fung
'Sultan'
produces
rich
red-brown blooms on
a compact plant
(relative to a
standard
cymbidium).
It
been grows outdoors
in Washington D.C.
and has no problem
producing
its
gorgeous
blooms in late
winter/early spring
indoors. |
Some
recommended
cymbidium orchids for warmth
tolerance
-Solar Flare
-Golden Elf
'Sundust'
-Sweet
Heart
-Ivy Fung
'Sultan'
-hybrids with
'Everglades' in the
cultivar name.
There are
many others as
well.
|
Go to
Part I of Growing Cymbidium
Orchids
Blooming: Flower
spikes are set during the
winter months when night
temperatures are cool (approx
50°). This is usually the
hardest part for indoor grower
once plants have been brought
inside. Many growers will keep
their cymbidiums in an unheated
garage overnight and take them
out during the day, or place
them in a cool bright sunroom
This, again, is where the
warmth-tolerant hybrids have an
advantage as they may not need
as much of a temperature drop
at night to bloom.
Keep your plants
moist, but a little drier
than usual, and try to
maintain humidity of at
least 30- 50%. Bloom
spikes, when they first
emerge often look like
new growths, but soon the
sheath will split to
reveal many tiny buds!
During this period, it is
best not to move your
plants so that the spike
will develop cleanly and
flowers will be evenly
arrayed. Sudden changes
in the growing
environment, can also
result in bud drop, as
will excessively dry warm
temperatures during the
day. Make sure your
plants are kept moist
while they are in bud.
Once approximately one
third of the blooms are
open you can move your
plants elsewhere to enjoy
the display. As the spike
is developing, also be
sure to stake it so that
the blooms are held above
the foliage. Cymbidium
flowers will generally
last more than a month
without fading especially
at cooler
temperatures(60-70)
Repotting: Cymbidiums
orchids do best when they are
pot bound. Unless the mix is
broken down (after 2-3 years),
leave them in the same pots
until the pseudobulbs are
crowded. When you repot grow
them in a small pot as possible
with no more than an inch or
two of space around the room.
At this time shake loose and
discard old dried bulbs.
Leafless pseudobulbs that are
still green can be separated,
potted up in sphagnum moss, and
with sufficient humidity will
often produce new growths.
However, these will take
several years to reach blooming
size. We recommend that you
leave any green bulbs still
attached to the plants as these
are used for water storage by
the plants. Once you have more
than seven to nine old growths,
you can divide your plants.
However if you allow your
plants grown to specimen and
have the space for it you will
be rewarded with multiple
flower spikes every year. When
repotting, use a standard
cymbidiums mix, or make your
own with coarse fir bark,
perlite, and even a little peat
moss thrown in-good drainage is
a must.
Where
to buy
cymbidiums:
These days, many grocery
stores and big-box
retailers carry
cymbidiums in the winter
months. This is often a
reasonable way to acquire
plants. However, most of
these will be larger
plants in 8" pots and of
limited variety.
Specialty orchid growers
are probably the best
choice for finding more
compact and warmth
tolerant varieties with a
greater range of colors.
Only buy cymbidiums
orchids from growers who
live in your region --
they will carry varieties
that will thrive under
your conditions. If you
live in North Carolina do
not be tempted to buy
cymbidiums from a grower
in California! Many of
the smaller warmth
tolerant orchids tend to
have flowers that are
less full and that look
more like some of the
miniature species. These
are just as charming in
their own right, but
every year new hybrids
are released that a lot
closer to their giant
cooler growing
counterparts.
|