cymbidiums in spike

[remo]

HI, guys.
I'm going to post a few pics of cym spikes from cascading cyms and maybe a couple more
First pic & pic 2 are of same plant-looks like a thumb sticking out only because it has to get over the rim of the pot. I helped it get that far by using a pot tag as sort of a ramp. Pic #2-Most of the cascading cyms will spike more or less horizontally and it is a good way to identify an emerging spike from simply new growth.
the third pic is the barely emerging spikes on a different cascading cym...notice that due to the coloring they can easily be mistaken for simply new growth-it is the direction, horizontal, which will usually tell you unless the plant is completely pot bound, then all bets are off!
the fourth is of a different cascading cym which is not performing according to plan-the spike is growing straight up and coming from more of the center of the plant...sometimes hard to say what new plants will do-some of these were acquired 11 months ago barely more than seedlings, now they are completely filling 7 inch pots! Life is Good! I will keep you informed.
Best regards,
Remo

[espranch]

WOW! Those are some HUGE spikes! Please post a pic. when it is full bloom...Thanks, Betty :-)

[remo]

Hi, Betty!
yes, I was a bit surprised myself not only at the growth rate of the foliage but also at the robust size of the spikes. I got 6 mixed pendulous cyms for xmas last year and they were the dreaded 'nbs'-you know how that goes...they were way overpotted in 5 inch plastic. I have found them to be very heavy feeders and they seem to love the clay pots.
I drench feed them weekly by dunking the whole pot in a bucket of half strength fertilizer with a few drops of superthrive and plenty of seaweed extract for the roots. Keep them nice & moist so the nutrients are always available. Now that they are in spike I won't be dunking them but I'll switch to foliar feeding. Life is good!
Remo

[espranch]

I'm very happy for you & the orchids, Remo! Betty :-)

[orchidpeople]

Do you have an id on these? Where did you have these growing?
Cyms are great orchids! good luck

[remo]

Bob, sorry it's so long getting back to you. I'm growing on an outside patio in Marina Del Rey, California. Temps have been pretty hot in the summer, not by Hawaiian standards, but about 75 to 85f and I'm growing in full sun. The evening temps for spring & summer were in the 60's I'd say. The Fall temps are now down to the 50-60's in the day and the 40's at night. I'm very close to the beach and have had a natural sort of mild overcast but occasionally they have gotten a bit of a mild sunburn on a few leaves. If you grow outside in socal without shadecloth that just goes with the territory. I grow the cascading cyms off of the ground in slashed clay pots and they seem to be heavy feeders. Best, Remo

[orchid lady]

Do you have an id on these? Where did you have these growing?
Cyms are great orchids! good luck

Looks like the first one is a Pearl Dawson 'Procyon' from what I can read on the tag.

[remo]

Hi, Marissa and you are CORRECT! It's funny tho, because the cascading cyms are the only ones I've ever gotten directly from a grower. All the rest are simply random mutts and rescue plants. Some are even combos of pbulbs I've pulled out of other peoples discards and when they bloom who knows what you will get! it's actually kind of fun that way.
Thanks for the pm!
Remo

[Ron-NY]

very nice I am sure you are anxiously awaiting their bloom!

[orchidpeople]

On tip on Pearl Dawson 'Procyon' is that the color will get muddy if the spike is allowed to get too much sunlight after the buds emerge from the sheath. I would keep it in an area of high shade once the buds hit the top of the sheath (I do 80% shade for them when they are about to come out)
That way the flower is a better green.. Just a tip