Cymbidium orchid in spike

[jess_1]

Hi

I'm new to growing orchids and have just had a flower spike grow on my cymbidium orchid for the first time. I'm very excited and am hoping to do everything right to make sure it has a nice bloom.

I first noticed the flower spike about a week ago. How long does it usually take for it to bloom from this point?

Also, I moved it inside as I was worried that it might get too cold outside (it has been getting down to about 8 degrees celsius recently (46 degrees fahrenheit)) and also because it was on a balcony which doesn't get much light. I have moved it near a window that gets a fair bit of morning sunshine. Does this seem ok? Is there anything else I should be doing / not doing?

I'd be really grateful for any advice.

Jess
Western Australia

[Germinatorman]

8C. does not necessarily mean it got that cold on the balcony - depending on how close it was to the house. I have seen Cymbidiums in flower with frost on the leaves. They can take the cold. Personally, I would leave it where it was when the stem developed. It liked that spot enough to send the spike. Have fun watching the spike grow and don't hold your breath, it takes a while..............

[panam]

Jess, when you can, please send a picture - we all live vicariously through each other's triumphs. Good luck with the flowers!

[jess_1]

Great, thanks very much for your advice!

---------- Auto-Merged DoublePost - Post added at 12:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 AM ----------

Yes, I will be sure to post a photo!

[remo]

Dear Jess, I have been fairly successful with my cymbidiums and I agree completely with Don (Germinatorman) in his assessment that you should move it back to where it was. 46f at night is positively balmy for many of the cyms...I live in Southern California, USA, and grow all my cyms outside and it gets down to 38f at night sometimes in the winter. Cymbidiums need about a 20f diurnal temperature variation (the spread between day & night temps) to even initiate a flower spike, so, they liked it just fine right where they were! Good luck and be patient...cyms take sometimes months to fully form & bloom from a newly initiated spike.
Take pictures! We love pictures!
All the best, Remo

[kiwiorchids]

ah yes, its that time of the year again! late autumn }:s
3 of mine have come into spike.....now its just the waiting game, and the snail squash game!

[kiwiorchids]

and dont warry about temps, Leave it outside, only if you dont get frosts that is, we havnt had one yet, but i am nervously awaiting the first one...the first is normally the heaviest! But mine are in 90% sunlight which is very open, but i am going to move them into some heavy shade as they get closer to blooming, as whites and greens dont look to good when they are bloomed in the sun......

Keep in mind, cymbids can take temps to -20 without frosts, and can take it to -10*C with a frost. They can also withstand strong sunlight, but take care not to get it sunburnt, and if you take it inside, be careful for blasting, as sudden humidity and temp changes can cause termination of the new buds.

All the best, Jordan

[jess_1]

Hi all

Thanks very much for all the advice. Much appreciated! I didn't realise orchids could withstand the cold - I think was concerned about the cold because I think of them as tropical plants. I have moved the orchid back to where it was when it grew the flower spike. It looks pretty happy for the time being. It has 12 flower buds. Will let you know how it goes and will post pictures in due course!

[kiwiorchids]

Cymbidiums come from the much cooler parts of SE Asia, so they are fine. Frosts are ok on the leaves, but destroy the tender buds. If you are worried about frost damage, throw some frost cloth over the plant, but put some tall stakes in the pot to keep the cloth OFF the plant itslef.

[orchidpeople]

I agree with most of the comments above. Most cyms will take it down to about 28 F. When I grew in CA I only had to protect them 3 times in 30 years when the temps went below 20 since they were on a deck and the house gave off some heat.
The light is more important however and cyms like a lot of light, at least part of the day they should get a good amount of sun and windows block a lot of light, so look around for a good sunny spot. I grow mine out in full sun here in Hawaii but I get afternoon cloud cover. That's ideal

Cool nights will keep the buds from dropping off, whereas in the house may be too warm until most of the flowers have opened, unless it is a warm tolerant one. Do you know what the name of this plant is?

B