I have a NoID cym that only flowers in the shadiest and coolest spot in my backyard. It gets maybe 2 or 3 hours of direct sunlight early in the morning and then full shade for the rest of the day. When I tried to flower it in spots where most of my cyms flower very well, the flower spikes didn't even develop properly. So, maybe moving your cym to a spot where it receives less light might fix the problem. Another issue I find is that getting the young pseudobulbs to mature as quickly as possible is also important, since it is the new pseudobulbs that are largely responsible for the flowering. If they don't mature over spring and summer and develop flowerspikes over winter, then they will flower the following season but will develop flowerspikes too early when the night temps are still too warm. In this case, it might be beneficial to use a high nitrogen fertilizer when the new pseudobulbs appear and switch to a high potassium fertilizer in early summer to initiate flower spike development. Hope this helps.

I appreciate your replies. I will have to look up gas fumes too. I'll try the mister but I think I'm going to try a cloche too. I do cut back the spikes after the first bloom and usually get to enjoy the second, small, round of blooms. I keep them outside all summer and might get another bloom then too. As far as bloom time, can I control that? All three are purple or white hybrids. Nothing special but very healthy and pretty.

Hi Julie I just got it a couple of days ago, so it may just be having trouble adjusting from where ever it came from to the chilly grocery store to the very hot car to my AC house. I had it where it was getting all day diffused light from a western window, but Richard suggested it might need more light. My options are to put it outside where it can get morning light then dappled shade all day or in my shady 3 season room where it can get morning light and shade the rest of the day. Unfortunately it is very VERY hot here right now - mid to upper 90's so I am concerned it might be too hot in either location I mentioned. I can also leave it near a northern window where it will be indirect light al day. The first bud fell off a few minutes ago and several mroe are looking grim :-( Thanks for any advice you can offer! Alexa Here is a link that might be useful: my orchid thread

Some peonies can be real divas in the garden, but they are so worth it. I have the same problem every once in a while but not normally on established plants. So hopefully once you get them well established you won't run into this too much. Have you looked into tree peonies yet? Those bloom earlier than herbaceous and are real standouts in the garden. Can be pricey though. whenever I found one at a nursery for less than $25 I would scoop it up. They are drool-worthy but REAL divas. If it is too hot their blooms will speed right by. If they get wet, they droop a lot. But if the conditions are right they'll make your heart skip a beat!