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Help - not new growths at all, but 8 large spikes!

16 years ago

I am so excited. My Cymbidium Peggy Sue Five had what I thought were 8 more new growths starting(in addition to the 4 or 5 from this Spring which are now full grown). These "new growths range from 3-8 inches long. I just discovered they aren't new growths at all, they're spikes, I see buds on the largest one! Definite buds!

I just got this plant last December and so this is the first time I've ever bloomed it on my own. Help. What do I do now? Isn't it too early to see spikes. Especially in this heat (it's 86' outside and humid).

The plant has been outside since mid-May and is still outside. I know Cyms like cold and I was planning to leave it outside until temperatures regularly dipped into the upper 30's, to encourage spiking.

Do I still do that now that the plant has all of these spikes?

Also, many of the spikes are facing sideways at about a 45' angle. Do I stake all of the spikes, when and how when they are facing sideways?

Oh my God, I'm so excited, my DH thinks I'm crazy but at least he is amused by my hysterics.

All help will be appreciated!

Susan

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Comments (4)

arthurm
16 years ago
There is an urban myth about all this coolness stuff for Cymbidiums. They like it cooler in winter, but you have to look at the total climate package.

Anyway, looking at the background breeding of your Cymbidium, it has a so called warmth tolerant ancestor in Peter Pan. Warmth tolerant in the sense that the plant does not need the degree of "coldness" during summer nights to decide to flower.

I hope you have got lots of snail and slug bait around the plant. Might be other pests in your area that love to eat Cym.buds.

Next problem, do the spike hang down naturally or grow erect? I do not know ! If they want to grow down, best to let them do so.

Next problem, when to provide extra warmth and shelter. probably when night temps start edging down to about 40F.

Congratulations!. Hope all goes well and the local Cym growers add to this.
littlem_2007
16 years ago
hello, Susan, congrats.. that is a great accomplishment. One of mine has started to spike also; but it has only one spike which I am quite excited about since it is the first time it ever has one. i am not experienced so cannot give advice. Just want to congratulate you on your success and offer my best wishes.
sue
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MsFlintlock
16 years ago
I have about a dozen cymbidiums. One that blooms every Christmas has a couple of spikes forming now. And they are both growing out horizontally too. But they're only about 4 inches long. If I remember right, they started turning up somewhat as they got longer. I would wait until you can tell where the buds are and what is just stem before you try to stake it. And then pull it up gradually over several days. The last thing either of us wants to do is snap off the very thing we've been waiting to see! Most of my cymbidiums won't start budding until late Jan. or Feb.
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susanblooms1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks all.

Arthur, I have it up off the ground, so I'm hoping slugs can't get it. Wind might be an issue though.

It was just beginning to bloom on Dec 6 last year, when I purchased it and the spikes were upright.

I'm still hoping someone local will reply with advice regarding what I do now: water, food, when to bring in, when and how to stake.....

Sherlene, good advice on the staking. I am so excited, I just don't want to do anything to mess this up.

Susan

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