I believe the low temperature tolerance is 45 degrees F.

If you're talking about miniature species 45F is probably about right. But if you're talking hybrids then they will take my cooler temps right down to the low 30's.

Would they get bitter cold winds blowing through where you plan to plant them?

It's interesting though that you had problems with standards. I am growing both standard and miniature cymbidiums in temps from 34F right up to 110F with no problems at all. Never lost one through temperature problems.

Look at that, another one. I am also interested in this topic if anyone has input here.

The balcony is enclosed, with the glass on the south facing side. There is no draft in the place unless I open the windows. I keep windows shut in the winter.

By miniature cymbidiums, I meant those miniature hybrids that look almost like standards but just shrunk in size.

Bolero, I suspect from your location that 110F that you occasionally experience are short lived heat waves that occur when the wind patterns change. In my balcony, temperatures in the 80s and the 90s can persist for many hours for many days each summer (about 3 months). But then, there is no way to know for sure if it was temperature that killed my standard cymbs.

Anyone in coastal california grow miniature hybrids outside? The winter temperatures there are about the same as in my balcony.

The problem is usually warmth that persists at night. The so called warmth tolerant Cymbidiums such as Cymbidium Golden Elf extend the flowering season because they are not dependant on summer night temps being on averange below 20C.
The big difference between Western and Eastern USA is the Ocean Currents. cold in the west and warm in the east and their effect on summer night temps.

Arthurm, that explains nicely why my standards did not do well. The balcony in question is in South Korea, where the climate is approximately similar to Philadelphia in eastern US. It usually stays above 20C (68F, I believe) during summer nights. I guess I should look into miniatures.

I would still like to know how cold can mini hybrid cyms take.... anyone tried growing them outdoors in the garden?

Thanks,

I grow my cyms outdoors and I live in z9 southern california. I have standards, minis, species, and ultra-minis like Cherry Blossum ÂProfusionÂ. I've never had any problem with heat. Last summer the temperature was +110F for a week or so and the cyms were fine. I just had to move them under shade cloth. The only trouble I've had has been with the cold snap we had during our winter freeze a few months ago. I lost 10 cyms (ultra-minis and species) to temps between 25-30F. It was a real shame. I should have put them in the garage. I thought that covering them was going to be enough.

audmer, so ultra-minis and species can't take 25-30F but others can?
Sounds like I can have miniatures but not ultra-miniatures or species.
Thank you for the info!

During the freeze my minis and standards were fine. Maybe a little minor cold damage but they pulled through just fine and are blooming there heads off now.

I've only had 2 Cymbidiums and I grew them both differently. My C. Golden Elf 'Sundust', a true miniature (20" leaves, small p-bulbs) grows better for me under lights when grown consistently warmer/intermediate (15-24 C, 59-75 F). My other was a C. 'Miniature NoID' (36" plus leaves, large p-bulbs, med flowers) grown windowsill until spring but with full exposure on my sheltered deck until frost (0-40 C, 32-104 F). I finally had to give the 'Mini' away as it was just too big, almost doubling in size/mass/root yearly. Keeping it cool enough inside during blooming in Dec-Jan (I would have thought that what are called miniature Cymbidiums but are still fairly large plants should do fine when grown protected from frost. Mine grew and flowered fine but had thicker leaves and p-bulbs than other plants I've seen labeled as miniatures. It also received it's cooler nights in Aug and Sept to flower for New Year. Maybe some of the different mini hybrid lines are better suited to cooler weather?
I hope you find one that grows in your conditions because a big Cymbidium in bloom is quite a show.

Shaun

ckim88, yes the 110F is short lived but sometimes it can go on for a couple of days.

But we also have 80's and 90's consistently every day for several months as well. THey do fine here growing outside on warm nights and warm days provided that during the winter they get cooler temps.

bolero, I see....
so it could be that it wasn't heat that killed my standards.
I think I am going to give standards a try too.
Thanks

It can't hurt, I haven't heard of any hybrids really having a lot of trouble with seasonal variations in temperature and extremes of heat.

Nearly everyone I know in this climate grows cymbidiums outside in very hot summers and very cool winters and the displays of flowers are incredible. I remember one year when we had many many days of temps over 90F with no problems. I know people who even successfully continued to grow their Masdevallia's outside in hot temps.

I can't explain why you lost your plants previously without seeing where they were growing and the way they looked but with persistence you may find that you can grow them there. You just need to find the technique that is right for you. Just because we have success here, I know it doesn't mean that everyone will have the same. But for some reason our climate is ideal.

Do you have pictures of the plants when they were dying at all???

It doesn't matter all that much (within reason) about the summer day temperatures. What does matter according to the guy who was head grower at a large commercial Cymbidium nursery is that the summer temperatures must drop at night on average to below about 20C (68F).
Of course there are other factors such as the need for cooler temperatures in winter and light levels.
Looking at Australia. No problem along the southern coast because there is a nice cool Ocean there. Go to the east coast and just north of Sydney, Orchid growers do not bother much with Standard Cymbidiums because they get lovely green leaves and few flowers.
So, Southern Australia, Standard Cymbidium Paradise. Much of Western Coastal USA, another paradise. Other places????

Cymbidium Sarah Jean, this one seems to be quite hardy and grows in a variety of temperatures including regular hot days.

{{gwi:161338}}

I thought there were a lot of cymbidium growes around sydney Arthur???

They are everywhere, but do not tell them (growers) i said this. "The standards are better in Melbourne". Go north to Coffs Harbour are they are starting to get very difficult to flower.
I have Cymbidium Fanfare 'St. Francis' as my one and only standard and i'm going to flog it at one of the shows. The intermediates and minis are much easier and more rewarding.

Interesting to know that..........maybe I'll run in their faces next time.......just kidding!!!!!!

Yeah they do grow well down here, perfect place.........I just wish my Masdevallia's grew as well as those.

((SIGH))