Susan,

Funny you should mention Golden Elf. I have one that has spent the summer
outdoors and it's been a hot September here.

It started to bloom this week with 3 more spikes coming. No chill...only 90
degree days and nights in the 60's.

Good growing,
Gene




"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On 22 Sep 2005 06:11:43 -0700, wrote:

I have a couple of miniature (but not small) cymbidiums outdoors.
I seem to have found the right formula for them for our conditions
here in southern England, full sun and heavy feeding all summer and
they're happy as pigs, pushing out of the pot with pseudobulbs the
size of lemons. I like to keep them out as long possible, a good
day/night temperature difference ought to make sure they bloom. I
had a good result last year, but this is where a bit of uncertainty
creeps in. How low can they go? I don't imagine a light frost would
actually kill them but might put them into a long-lasting funk. Does
anyone have experience of the effects of nighttime lows of
0 (32F)? --I do bring them in if the forecast is 'risk of frost'
5 (41F)? --I usually bring them in, but is it necessqry?
10(50F) is obviously OK


Leo

Leo
It depends on the parents of this hybrid. If they are Chinese
cymbidiums they do not need the extreme temperatures that a
standard cymbidiums would to bloom and do not like the extremes.
If they are small standards... They want to get well chilled. We
used to try for a light snow. But that was not a killing frost.
They need to be protected from that kind of extreme. Rather the
snow that insulates. So you are not actually exposing the plants
to the frost temp. I would definitely keep it above 40F and if
it is Chinese group. I would keep it above 50F.
I heat the gh to 65F but the Chinese cymbidiums are next to the
glass. They are above the heat pipes - but could feel the cold
off the glass. We have no trouble blooming the Chinese cymbidiums
and the crosses. Cym Golden Elf is an example of the hybrids.

Just my 2 cents worth.


SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php