Cymbidium Orchids

Morning All ,

Somone told me you can keep a Cymbidium out side over the summer and you have a better chance of it re flowering .... if yes ..... sunny spot or shaded ?

Spruce

 

They like a shady place outside in summer, bring them back in around October, only got one these days but used to grow a few a while back.
I found basically frost free conditions are enough for them.

If they are kept too warm they tend not to flower well.

 

Ta Pete , I will put out late May ...

Spruce

 

Out of interest I left two plants out all winter, they were in my frost only protection area, no heat, just covered with blankets on cold nights.
They were two very old varieties from years ago when they were much bigger plants, that year they flowered in April/May.
These were at least 4 ft high.

 

Hi @Spruce yes, they do much better if outside in the summer, and staying out until it gets quite nippy. Apparently the cooling in September encourages bud formation. Although @pete suggested shade, I tend to leave them in quite good light so the leaves actually get a bit of a purple tinge. It seems to produce good hard pseudobulbs. I had my best flowering this spring probably because of last year's bright summer. But remember to feed and water - it's a bit easy to forget when they're outside.

 

Although I only have the one cymbidium these days, I do have three plants of that particular one.
In light of what you have mentioned @CarolineL I'll try them in different aspects this summer.

 

I will do half and half
Spruce

 

That's the proper scientific method @Spruce ! of course here in Wales mine need all the sunshine they can get...

 

imm in Wales as well , not the warmest BH weekend , but it never rained so got lots sorted


"I will do half and half " in Cardiff that means half rice & half chipswhen going the chippy or chinese
Spruce

 

Hah! half and half seems to be a welsh thing - a friend from england visiting was commenting about it at weekend! That and rissoles...

 

Just bumping this thread ... still haven't manged to get it to re-flower !!!

 

Got a flower spike coming on one now, but its not a very spectacular one, strange kind of green colour.
It was out on the allotment all last summer and only brought in just before it got really cold.

Must admit it gets neglected.

 

come May I will leave out in the garden then bring in before the Autumn frosts ....

 

A couple of mine are flowering after the usual hard treatment over the summer. They stayed out in full sun till start of October, but I'm afraid they weren't fed as they should have been. I think strong sunlight, good feeding, and chill autumn nights would be the ideal combination. I have neglected my cymbs for a few years, so I need to start being more serious with them!