It decided to produce flower spikes in midsummer outside. First two pictures are of the most developed one. I doubt that the flowers will fully develop, but one never knows.. so far the buds seem fine. The last two photos are from midwinter, when flower spikes are normally produced indoors.
As expected the flowers never developed during the summer. But I just brought all my cymbidiums indoors before the first subzero temperatures, and there are new spikes on this one already. I wish it didn’t spend any effort trying to bloom summertime...
Update, Nov 14, the most developed stalk is now about 60 cm tall. It will reach about a meter before flowers start to open.
@Nik Looking good to flower for Christmas or maybe before looking at the development. There's nothing like this lovely orange to warm the heart on the short Winter days
@Acerholic , D, it will be at least 3-4 weeks before the flowers crack open. They last at least 2-3 months. Most of my others also have spikes, but I do not expect them to be flowering before February. They are also very good as cut flowers, still long lasting, but no more than a month.
Update for Nov 20. Not much progress, the buds are gradually swelling and the spike is elongating. I am still very surprised how easily orchids handle conditions in a regular house. All of them, not just Cymbidium...
Hi D, yes, they love the sun. It is a southern exposure for our ‘office’ room. They bloom profusely if exposed to enough sun during the summer outside, the trick is not to ‘burn’ them. Meaning harmless but unsightly black marks on the leaves. Indoors, I found there is no chance of subjecting them to too much sun.
Update for Nov 28. Buds are swelling and gradually beginning to position themselves in the right orientation. I estimate about 2 weeks before opening.
Hi D, these are not water droplets, this is some sort of guttation that I always see. I imagine it is something to do with the lower humidity in the house. It doesn’t seem to affect flower development. I have tasted it, it is nice and sweet (and sticky).
Update for Dec 6. Perhaps 2 more weeks before they start opening. Also two other shoots on the same plant at much earlier stages of development.
Update for Dec 18. One bud is cracking open, just barely. It will take several days for it open, expand and color fully. The others will follow. Last photo is of the other two younger shoots. I like this hybrid very much because the flower stalks go straight up without any need for staking.
Hi D, yes that seems to be the timeline... will post pictures. My favorite stage of orchid flowers development is when they are half-open, I cannot explain why.
I do agree N, I think it's the freshness of new life. Much like the newly unfolding leaves in Spring. Look forward to seeing your Photos next week.
All that is left for the first flower is to expand more and the color to mature to brighter orange. I definitely like Victorian era plants. Relatively easy to grow and display indoors.
Last photo that I will post in this thread. In direct sunlight they already appear very orange, even though they are not quite there yet.
