Most Cymbidiums are cool growers, happy with temperatures from the
mid-60s to mid 90s during the day, with nights at least 10 degrees cooler.
Nights at or below 55°F are needed in the fall for many clones to
initiate flowering. Many, however, do not have this requirement. Here on
the coast of Northern California our summer daytime high are generally in
the 70s. Winter days can linger in the high 40s and low 50s, with
nighttime temperatures at or a few days below freezing. We grow in light
shade, which encourages compact growth and lots of flowers.
Some species and a few of the hybrids – for example those with a
significant percentage of C. sinensis in their parentage, require and even
thrive in intermediate orchid growing conditions as far as temperature is
concerned.
Many orchid enthusiasts think of Cymbidiums as large plants that don’t
have a place in the intermediate greenhouse. Many of the varieties listed
here are very small (blooming in a 3 inch pot and becoming a specimen in 6
inch) and thrive in warmer conditions. Many are excellent for summers on
the patio. Many thrive outdoors in the mild sections of the country. We’ll
gladly help you decide what will work best for you.
We grow in a medium consisting of medium fir bark and dolomitic
limestone chips, generally in terra cotta pots. Watering is heavy during
the growing season, as our media drains rapidly. We inject various soluble
organic fertilizers into the water at about 300 PPM. Cymbidiums are heavy
feeders, and respond to all sorts of unique growing methods – including
straight horse manure, pure sand, NZ sphagnum, tree fern, osmunda or coir.
