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Present were:
Cymbidiums (Eric Wolff)
peterlin (Irving, TX)
marylois (northwest Louisiana)
peeteilis (bloomindry in KY)
RayBark(Pennsylvania)
I
sparkysteve (Boca Raton Florida)
gaillevy (Boca Raton, FL)
zeynep3 (Wilmington NC )
Ellen,Smithtown,New York
Jade from G R (Grand Rapids MI)
Fleur (Tasmania)
Richard in West Palm Beach
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
johng in garland (Garland TX)
foxtail2 (Doug in Palm Harbor)
AORCHID (art, simpsonville sc)
tlswilso (Steve - Adirondacks, northern NY)
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Marc Goulding (CA)
Clare in LA (Los Angeles CA)
Lanceps (Manhattan Beach CA)
JR000 (Jerry No. CA)
marylois
Folks - meet Eric Jesse Wolff - aka 'Cymbidiums' - tonight's speaker. Which Cymbidium Species are Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, first of all there are only few that are exclusive to any one Asian region, the variations may be exclusive.
marylois
Eric - are they just the four in section Jensoa, and varieties thereof?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
There are five, at least according to Chinese.
RayBark
The 5 being?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Five are gorengii, kanran, ensifolium, sinense and faberi but within these five are many distinct variations.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I have an ensifolium, just finish bloom for me, isn't this an odd time for it to bloom?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
No, ensifoliums are summer blooming. [and may bloom up to five times during the summer, they are also quite heat tolerant-EW]
RayBark
I find that they will actually bloom several times a year...except for the variegated ones, for some reason.
Where does erythrostylum fit, if at all?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Erthyrostylum is not included in the Jensoa, probably because it is a Vietnam native. [It may fit under the larger blanket of Asian Cymbidiums-EW]
Ray did you notice the variegated ones [particularly ensifoliums-EW] have genetically inferior roots? The variegated ensifoliums roots grow much slower...[and take longer to adjust to new potting conditions-EW]
RayBark
I didn't know it was genetic!
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Yes, I have a variegated ensifolium, I almost lost it, have to take care it differently.
marylois
...Not as much vigor? Like album forms of species?
RayBark
Bmt: I find that a very open, but moist mix does them well.
marylois
Eric - what is the culture on ensifolium? How long and how cold? [cool growing is only partially true, the kanran and gorengi are sensitive to long period of hot weather and may forgo blooming when exposed to temperatures about 80-90F for extended periods. if your temperature gets this high keep them very moist with lots of air movement...-EW]
RayBark
Marylois, I gotta disagree with the 'coolness.' I grow mine along side of phals with great success.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, the ensifoliums are actually the most heat tolerant for summer but do not need severe cold as in the kanran and gorengii.
marylois
Where's my flower spike this year?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
On which plant, Marylois? Typically sinense, kanran, and gorengii will not spike after a hot summer.
sparkysteve (Boca Raton Fla)
Too hot here for ensifolium.
marylois
Sinense is not as warmth tolerant - does it require a cool spell? I have a marvelous sinense hybrid - Cym. Florida Flamingo - an Everglades plant. Love it. Sure not growing like Golden Elf though. Golden Elf grew from three little blades of grass to a 12" pot full...of course, it took a few years.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Sinense definitely needs the cool spell to set spike.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
But, in the greenhouse kept at 80 degree, should be all right, No?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Yes BMT that is about the max of where you want to be.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Ray, I have it in large bark, in the cym. pot. Do you let it dry out before water again? [prefer well draining and continually moist, not wet -EW]
RayBark
Nope, In my 'semi-hydro' mix, it stays moist all the time...without exception.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Keep em moist and loosely potted, BMT where are you?
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I'm in Northern California. 30 miles east of San Francisco, and 30 degrees warmer.
RayBark
Marylois, I find that Golden Elf nearly doubles annually...how 'bout you?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I get doubles from the elfs as well.
marylois
Yes, Ray - that's about it. Been feeding Jerry Grow - think that's why I got so many flower spikes - and, believe it or not, flower segments were a bit wider than they have been in past years!
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, was that a product placement?
marylois
*LOL* Jerry is a Safarier, and many of us have been trying his wares. Yes, you can call it a testimonial.
How cool, how long (sinense) ... my ensifolium is the one not spiking this summer.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, sinense typically start late fall, into Feb [variegated ensifoliums are very difficult to bloom, they need to be well established, absolutly pot bound and the pots should be VERY deep, they usually initiate spike in late August under these conditions, but may be more sensitive to the heat. - EW]
peeteilis (bloomindry in KY)
Eric, is it day temperatures, or night temperatures, as the regular cyms?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Peetellis, the summer max refers to day temp, the sinense gorengii and kanran need the night temperature drops.
AORCHID (art, simpsonville sc)
How long is bloom spike on Golden Elf. Mine is only about 8" long.
RayBark
Art, 8" is a bit short, but not out of the question. [Typically is just above the leaves, again, pot bound in a deep pot is the operative for tall spikes - EW]
Jade from G R (up to my elbows in bark)
I have a sinense and kept in in partial shade on my deck this summer in Grand Rapids MI. We had a real sultry month of July. Does this mean I won't see flowers this year? This is a new plant for me. I'd be happy for all the advice I can get to get it to bloom.
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
We bloomed sinense last winter after it spent the summer out on the deck in all of the heat we had here. This is a sheltered deck and I kept the humidity up by misting. Also, Mother Nature helped as well.
Jade from G R
Janette, how much light did you give it?
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Who knows, Jade? It is in a gh with 70% shade cloth, but that is too much sun for the phals and low light plants as we have had to use additional shade cloth over them.
sparkysteve
The critical thing is day/night difference.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
...and plenty of moisture.
Jade, depends upon a lot of factors, like wind etc, but this has been a difficult year for the sinense. This year I also added a lot of the variegated sinsense, many of which are in bloom now!
RayBark
Geez, you all seem to worry more about your conditions than I do. This summer: Hotter','hell...stuff still seems to bloom OK.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
But your house is a good setup Ray, lots of breeze!
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Eric, we had a Cym. sinense v. Ta Ming (which I bought from Ray) awarded this winter. The judges said that Ta Ming wasn't a variety and awarded it as Cym. sinense 'Ta Ming'. Won't this cause some confusion down the road?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Not true on the Ta Ming, In China it is a registered variation.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, dayanum is not considered in the same category?
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Eric, wish you would have been here to tell the judges that. :-)
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
The Chinese Cyms also like the 70% treatment on the shade cloth.
RayBark
Janette, I suppose it's another one of those AOS/RHS things. I think your judges caused some confusion...
Jade from G R (up to my elbows in bark)
I think so too, Ray. But they have the final say, I guess. Ray, where are you located?
RayBark
Just above Philadelphia, PA, Jade.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
[Dayanum is not in the Jensoa catagory, so not considered a Chinese Cymbidium [books from mainland describe it as a native of northern Thailand, I have been advised that it is a Taiwan native. As most people know, Taiwan would
not be recognized by China, so I may have been steered wrong....I will research this a little more - EW]
RayBark
So what is it, Eric?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Janette, I can look up the registry date and who did it in China if it helps.
zeynep3 (Still very hot Wilmington, NC)
Eric, then which catagory does dyanium fall under?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I am not sure where it falls Ray, help me out here.
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
I have a feeling that that is all water under the bridge, Eric. The award was in February and all of the paper work has been done.
marylois
You are saying Ta Ming is a hybrid? Or is it a hybrid of ensifolium forms?
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Ta Ming is a variety of sinense. It is the reddish brown flower.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I did my studying in China, which designates the Jensoa as 'Chinese' and probably dayanium falls into 'Asian'. Like the Koreans claim Gorengii as their own...:) Ta Ming is not a hybrid. Ta Ming is a naturally occuring variation of sinense.
RayBark
If I can stand on the soapbox for a minute: I started my Chinese Cymb stuff as a lark, and I just love the enormous tolerability of the class.
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Ray, I ordered some from you on a lark and they have become some of my favorites. Cym. ensifolium v. Iron Bone Susin is in bloom now. We have had great luck not only growing them but getting them to bloom. The sinese had
six spikes on it last year and one of the others (can't remember now) had five. So they will give you a lot of flowers and they don't take up as much space as standard cyms.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Janette, they are a must once you get to know them, were they fragrant?
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Eric, I can't remember a fragrance.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Janette, they are very delicate fragrance, you really have to get close up to smell it.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Bmt, I have some that the fragrance will knock you over!
Does anyone here, know of any other genus of orchids with variegation??? I just found a ensifoium in Korea with variegation similar to Zebra grass.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Neo facata?
sparkysteve
I have seen Vanilla that was variegated.
peeteilis (bloomindry in KY)
Sure, vanda.
RayBark
OOOhhh... can't imaging the price tag on that puppy.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Don't even start thinking, Ray,,,,three zeros and have to smuggle.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, can we talk about roots? Am I really doing my plants a disservice by not putting them in a tall pot?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, my opinion is yes, because I have found that when you constrict the roots the spikes are higher and the roots are healthier
.
RayBark
KBB, I agree... height = 2 x diameter is pretty much the rule for me.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Ray I like 3-5, now in Korea they are selling extendable pots where the bottom can be romoved and a new section put in.
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
What is the standard height of a Chinese pot, Eric? [ Chinese pots tend to be about 8-10" high and 3 1/2" wide, Korean pots 12" by 4" - EW]
sparkysteve
Was the zebra one found in situ? Or in a greenhouse?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Zebra was in greenhouse, chinese pots tend to be 3:1
Chinese Cyms have several traits that are considered most desirable.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, do you get more p/bulb growth too? In terms of #s?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, yes, but it usually means repotting yearly [or every other year-EW]
Jade from G R
I saw those expando pot advertised. They looked like a great idea. What about planting them in a piece of drainage tile. That tends to good depth and is pretty stable?
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Necessity is the mother of invention, huh, Jade?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Jade, I think that would work, myself I love the pots from the YiShing region of China, really compliment the plant!
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
I have a friend who is a part time potter (like me) and we are going to try to throw some. Don't know how much luck we will have but the picture in Orchids will be a big help.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Great Idea, I tried to do this on a commercial scale, but the price per pot was outrageous.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, are those the pots you show in the AOS mag?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
The part 2 of the article has some yi xing pots. Yi Xing, is noted for its violet clay, that dries very evenly.
marylois
A friend grows them in glazed sewer pipe! Cuts off about a foot, seals bottom with cement (around small pipe to make drainage hole) They love it - but that type of pipe has asbestos in it.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Janette, make sure you put opening on all sides. There are also plastic pots much more reasonably priced.
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
Yes, Barbara. Was eyeballing some of my husbands drill bits the other day to take to the studio, but he informed me that I would have to buy my own. He is very possive about his tools but is always borrowing my screwdrivers and pliers that I keep in the kitchen and not returning them. :-)
marylois
Right on price! Straight from a friend in Korea we're talking $30 plus per pot! [Marylois, I have them on the Website starting at $14, and during the month of September have some korean pots for $11, the sewer pipe route is a lot of work, and does not look as nice as an $11 Korean pot! - EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, yes I loved those pots, also on your website, I only buy the cheaper ones since I need so many of them.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Plastic pots are alright, but I think the clay ones are better.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
What's Eric's website?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
www.winterview.com
marylois
Try porcelain! Surely some ceramic place has Chinese pot molds...and if you find em, let ME know!
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
OK, so we got these things growing in lower light in warmer temps, any recommendation on fertilizer? Balanced? What?
Jade from G R
ML. There are drainage tiles that aren't glazed. I suspect they are asbestos free. I love growing things in tiles. There are so many different sizes.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Fertilizer...mmm I do it once a week, rest every four. Every other week in the cycle I use an organic in place of chemical.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Kathy, I'm using Jerry's grow on them.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, Full strength? 1/4th?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I usually use 1/5
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Wow, I'm overdosing mine!!
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
How often do you do it?
[Every 2nd or 3rd week ½ strength -KB]
JanetteH (Pilot Mtn., NC)
What kind of organic?
Clare in LA
Did we already cover whether these were more suseptible to virus?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I like to use Bat guano from he hydroponics store. In China eveyone has their own recipe, fermented milk powder, fermented peanuts, soyabeans, hair, etc. etc. It works though!
marylois
Ouch! I've watered right along with paphs/phrags...1/2 strength every week or so.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, but you are using Jerry's, which is already reccomended at a lower throw.
What was the virus question????
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Everyone always have a secret recipe, from the cure of commen cold to growing Orchids.
marylois
Yes, on full-grown Golden Elf it works - but how about my little ensifolium? Eric, but couldn't that be why ensifolium is - well, just sitting there?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marylois, I would first check the ensifolium's roots usually the roots tell all, they should be plump and white.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Lois, what I did was to water the plants first, and after, use Jerry's grow at full.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, you must repot yearly? And the virus question was about whether these things are more suseptible to virus. [more susceptible compared to what? I seldom have problem with virus, but I keep the greenhouse clean and dispose
of suspect plants right away. For me it is rare to want to take the time to nurse a plant back to health, I suppose if I was only collecting I would, but I owe it to my customers to only supply healthy stuff. Ocasionally, I will work with a sick variegated plant to bring it back to health, but if the new growths are slow, and or streaked, and or spotted, the plant is
disposed.-EW]
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, I typically repot every one to two years, typically I will get 5-8 new growths every year, on a plant that starts with three growths.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Thanks, Eric! Boy, mine aren't doing so hot then, They will put out new growths, but the back bulbs will die. No net increase in size. [definitely some problem here, in China and Taiwan they divide up to three or four times a year! -EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
And you keep them in Greenhouse, right? Eric. [yes-EW]
Marc Goulding
Can Chinese cymbidiums be over fertilized and what are the symptoms or results if they are lightly over fertilized? I usually get 1 or 2 maybe 3 growths at most! Why is that?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marc, It is hard to over fertilize if you are using dilute mixture, but if you are they will get yellow streaks in the leaves and new growths are stunted or lifeless.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I saw your post on ODG, are you planning to move?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Yes, I am moving to Asia at the year's end (most likely).
zeynep3 (Still very hot Wilmington, NC)
Eric, where are you moving?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I will be based in Singapore, but cover it all. I will keep some of the most valuable plants, I do not know about the rest...
.
Jade from G R
Gee Eric, that's a tough posting. I suspect you may see a few orchids while you are there! :-)!
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Thanks, Jade, I wil still be involved in the Chinese Cyms somehow, I have worked with people in China to help breed a pipeline of variations that I hope to bring to the US eventually.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, do you divid the bubls oftern or keep as many as you can in one pot for a good plant?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
The bulb question, plants grown for divisions are compoted 10-30 growths per gallon pot, spikes all torn off, to put all of the energy into division...[To clarify this. when I receive plants on import, typically I will compot them, about 20-30 growths in a gallon pot in this enviroment, they adapt quickly and will produce new growths. I like giving my customers a few extra growths rather than dividing. - EW]
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I wanted to talk a little about those traits that are deemed desirable in Asian Cym.s To me it is strange how one ensifolium is $20 and another is $2500????
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Right, what do you look for when the $2,500 plant is in front of you?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Desirable traits.... The Chinese believe pure colored flowers are the most desirable. Variegation is the second, Fragrance is the third, and leaf posture is the fourth. Spike height is the fifth.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
How do you know? When you buy, a plant's not in flower.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT, you don't, but for instance Cym sinense Flag, is heavily variegated, fragrant, has the leaf bend at 1/3 length and is therefore a more desirable plant.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
And what separates the $2500 plant from the $20 is the degree of the 5 traits?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, in most cases! The variegation plays the largest role, but the other traits add. If I have a plant that for some reason has these traits, I will separate it and keep the divisions!
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Does increased light decrease the amount of variegation?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, no, increased nitrogen in the foliar fertilizer does, and usually older leaves fade a little.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, CA)
Good, I like the varigated foliage.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
I see, I have a sinense 'Snow Clam' which has green flowers, but the spike is only 1/2 inch high, that makes it a $45 plant, right?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
mmm BMT, green flowers???1/2 inch high, doesn't sound like snow clam.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
There must be a standard as to how pure white the whites are, how deep greeen the greens are.. [in terms of judging I think it is comparative. Some variations are known for their pure color flowers, example Sinense Bai Mo, pure greenish yellow, sinense Bai Mo Su, similar but larger flower and more yellow, sinense Wu Tsu Tsai, absolutly lemon yellow, pure color-EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, that's what I bought it as. Snow Clam, green flowers.
Marc Goulding
Are there really $2500 Chinese cymbidiums?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marc, yes, I have seen $45000 cyms in Japan but they are a little odd anyway. [ these may include things like spiral leaves, or curved leaves, along with variegation and the other desireable traits.-EW]
Marc Goulding
Yikes!
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, is the narrower the leaves, the better the plant?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT koreans value narrow leaves because they believe them to be feminine but as a general rule narrower is not necessarly better and narrower is not necessarily feminine. In the case of ensifolium Ma Ehr, horses ear, it is a masculine plant with narrow straight upright leaves and 'beak variegation'.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, what's beak variation?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
'Beak' is a variegation line along the tip of the leaf.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, what is desirable in fragrance? I had one called 'Black Ink' which was an ensifolium (I think) and it was STRONG! [black Ink, is probably sinense albo jucandissium (Bai Mo) which literally translaited is white black, figuratively is ink on parchment, or black ink, indeed it's yellowish green flowers are fragrant! - EW]
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Marc, try the double flower one, it has just started commercial growing, is still rare, and commands good prices [Marc was asking what type of plant to buy while in China to realize a profit -EW]
Kathy, all ensifoliums tend to be fragrant, as well as kanran (extreme) goerngii extreme, and faberii also extreme, the sinense [depending upon variation -EW] are hit and miss.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Also Eric, they categorize plants as masculine and feminine? Or traits as masc/fem? Or both? I can see there's a whole lot of subtle variety in collecting Chinese cyms!!! It ain't like collecting splash petal catts!
Eric, The more fragrant the better? Or depends on the fragrance??
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, stronger and quality both are important, but as far as plant value, it is a has versus none...
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I don't have any kanran, what should I look for if I see one to buy?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT, kanran has narrow leaves, a little more difficut than sinense, the leaves need to be perfect, the bend even, starting about 1/3 up... the flower lateral petals need to be 180 degrees on a plane, that is considered best....purer red flowers are most desirable. The most common is green with greenish yellow lip with red spots.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Ooh, sounds nice!! Eric, the purere red forms are rarer? [Red kanran, pure form are the rarest of the kanran -EW]
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Mark in China bargain hard and expect 20$, then expect 50% to be fake, and 20% to die....a guideline.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Ok, Eric I've got that one on my list. I'll call you later.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Yes, the purer red forms are rarer.
zeynep3 (Still very hot Wilmington, NC)
Barbara, it seems as if you are growing lots of Chinese Cymbidiums....Barbara has been asking very educated questions about CC's...;-)
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT, please contact me, as I have just received a container of Korean pots and would like to wholesale some before year end!
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Zey, not really I have about 10. Let's just say I started with Cym. Now 15 years later, I'm back with Cym. Full circle.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, stop by my website and order a catalogue, it has lots of goodies to keep you happy, including variegated stuff under $30.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, if this isn't too far off topic, If Chinese cyms come in red white and green where'd the yellow in Golden Elf come from?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
LOL, Golden Elf is a hybrid between ensifolium and Ernie Haupt, a complex hybrid Cymbidium. Yellow Chinese Cyms....sinense albo jucandissium, sinense Bai Mo Su, Sinense Wu Tsu Tsai, yellow-green, yellow, lemon yellow.
Marc Goulding
Eric, fake doubles?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
They do not sell you a flowering plant, or it's grafted onto a regular plant.
tlswilso (Steve, in the Adirondacks of northern NY)
No kidding! They can graft an orchid?
Marc Goulding
Eric, graft the bloom spike? [yes they cleverly stick the bloom spike on a different plant, next year it blooms differently - EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, what is the most commom size of pot? 3'' or 5'' or bigger?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT all sizes depending on number of growths, but 31/2" is about the most common for three growths.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
So my pots were all too big for the 3-5 growths.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Could be, I like to squeeze the growths or as I mentioned earlier, 10-30 growths in a one gallon.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, would that also be true (squeezing the growths) on an erythrstylum? (I know its not truly Chinese, but I figured I'd ask) [yes-EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, when you pot it, do you push the bark down tight? And really squeeze the roots together? [no keep the media loose, but put enough growths in to fully fill the pot - EW]
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Kathy, yes! In nature they grow in the bamboo forests, bamboo has vigorous rhizome growth, squeezing the cyms, when they are really squeezed it's time to move so the flowers grow high (Chinese folklore).
BMT, no loose except for the top inch, or top dress with moss. I have been adding more and more perlita (sponge rock) to my mix with no ill effects.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
I'm amazed that anything can live WITH bamboo! It's so invasive!!
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Yeah, they crouch in the spaces between the root mass.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
I got you, I've just repotted, I used all large bark, now I top it with the fine bark and charcoal. Oh, yes, perlite too.
jim4eq (miami)
Did we discuss non-bark media earlier? If so, I'll wait for the transcript.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Bmt, sounds good, I prefer to add coarse charcoal, stone or sponge rock because they tend to absorb less water, I am probably using taller pots as well. In warmer climates I increase the non-absorbing portion, and water more frequently.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Sounds like I gotta get some of those tall pots! And cut down on the fertilizer!
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I got the tall pots, about 8'' tall, but the opening is about 5'', all have side holes for airing.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT, go with about 10 growths in them.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, so using cocnut husk would be contraindicated? Holds too much water?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
I have not used it, but had problems with tree fern fibre believe it or not, because it has a large surface area and can trap water.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, I have them in Greenhouse, should I bring them out around Nov. to chill out?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT the goerngii and kanran can stand light frost! In fact gorengii Tow Tow Xiang, means fragrant heads peeking though the snow.. Sinense can also do with a cool down period but NO frost.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, the ensifolium only have about 3 to 5 growths, that means I don't have to repot for years. *G*
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Bmt, I would switch to a tighter pot, you will get more and better growths.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Ensifolium, no cool down period?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Ensifoliums are summer bloomers and only need the night time drop, easy to bloom!
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Great, that's what I have! Ensifoliums. Now I can try branching out into the other types.
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric in our area, the trouble with chilling out is it'll be raining season, too much water.
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
BMT watch that! Chill and cut watering frequency to 10 days [also watch for water collecting inside the new growths this can cause crown rot - EW]
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Ok Eric, that means still in the greenhouse, in front of the cooler window.
jim4eq (miami)
Yes, Eric, which ones need no cooldown, winters in the 40-50's as lows (teheheehee).
zeynep3 (Still very hot Wilmington, NC)
Jim, temps in Miami can go down to 30 degrees F in every 10 years, this may be the year...LOL
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
They will all function with 40-50's kanran, faberi, sinense, goerngii.
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Eric, many times these are sold bare root. Any tips for resesutation?
Cymbidiums (Chinese Cymbidiums)
Use one teaspoon of real brown sugar or molasses in about a gallon of water and soak the roots. Then lay them out over night in a humid area and repot into moist media. Keep them humid, and skip the first watering, resume watering at regular schedule.
OK, I think I shoud wrap this up! Have to work tomorrow, I want to thank you all for a fun discussion, and invite you all to the website!
bmtorchids (Barbara, N. CA)
Eric, thank you so much, it was totally great, I'll be in touch with you soon
kbbarrett (Kathy in N Calif)
Thank you very much for your time Eric!! It was wonderful!! Good luck in your move to Asia!
zeynep3 (Still very hot Wilmington, NC)
Thanks, Eric
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