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Cymbidium Orchid....changed colour
G'day
For a couple of years I've had a Pale Pink Cymbidium and after it bloomed last year I divided it into two pots. It gets fed with orchid fertiliser on a regular basis and lives under a shrub in the garden during summer then moved under the pergola (facing north) when the flower spikes appear as this way I can keep a closer eye on slugs/snails/etc. It's currently in bloom but they are a cream colour with a dirty cream streak up the back of the petals...does anyone know why this orchid has changed colour?? My newer Cymbids are just opening too and I don't want them to change colour as I bought them because of their current colour. LOL Thanks in advance Bronwyn ;-) |
#2
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Cymbidium Orchid....changed colour
On Jun 11, 10:54 am, HC wrote:
G'day For a couple of years I've had a Pale Pink Cymbidium and after it bloomed last year I divided it into two pots. It gets fed with orchid fertiliser on a regular basis and lives under a shrub in the garden during summer then moved under the pergola (facing north) when the flower spikes appear as this way I can keep a closer eye on slugs/snails/etc. It's currently in bloom but they are a cream colour with a dirty cream streak up the back of the petals...does anyone know why this orchid has changed colour?? My newer Cymbids are just opening too and I don't want them to change colour as I bought them because of their current colour. LOL Thanks in advance Bronwyn ;-) Changes in light and temperature while the buds are developing can wash out or intensify the colour. Pale colours seem particularly prone because (as you've noticed) it doesn't take a lot colour loss to turn a lovely pink blush into dirty cream. Generally colder temperatures and stronger light during bud developments seem to produce better colour. Lower light is good for getting better whites and greens but stronger light brings out the reds and yellows etc (NB strong light can also make the colours fade faster after the flowers open). If YOU have bloomed the orchid with the pink colours before there's no reason to think that you won't again. Bear in mind the weather has been all over the place in recent years and the orchids aren't in a particularly stable environment if grown out in the open. Expect some variation between years. See how the others open but if the spikes are still fairly small you could bring them out from under the pergola and see if you get better colour. One last point, obviously you're going to buy a flowering orchid based on flower colour but be aware that the colour you see may not necessarily be the same as the colour you end up with. Cymbidiums particularly are often forced by commercial nurseries to produce a salable product faster. You may notice differences in colour intensity under your conditions. Andrew |
#3
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Cymbidium Orchid....changed colour
Andrew thanks for that detailed info, it will really come in handy for
next season's blooms. I've had the pale pink for a couple of years but did move it to a different spot during summer so maybe that's the cause. Also, as you've said the weather has been all over the place so maybe that's a contributor too. As least I've learned something from your info so thanks for your help! I've been contemplating adding some shelves (spaced, treated pine decking on L brackets) to the rear north facing brick wall of the house, and was not 100% sure this would be the best situation and since reading your reply think I will change that plan because although the shelves will be under the eaves and get lots of light, it will be too hot....which was my original concern. Another thought was to drop a shadecloth blind from the fascia but this will lessen available light. Can't win!! LOL Back to the drawing board!! LOL Bronwyn ;-) Andrew wrote: On Jun 11, 10:54 am, HC wrote: G'day For a couple of years I've had a Pale Pink Cymbidium and after it bloomed last year I divided it into two pots. It gets fed with orchid fertiliser on a regular basis and lives under a shrub in the garden during summer then moved under the pergola (facing north) when the flower spikes appear as this way I can keep a closer eye on slugs/snails/etc. It's currently in bloom but they are a cream colour with a dirty cream streak up the back of the petals...does anyone know why this orchid has changed colour?? My newer Cymbids are just opening too and I don't want them to change colour as I bought them because of their current colour. LOL Thanks in advance Bronwyn ;-) Changes in light and temperature while the buds are developing can wash out or intensify the colour. Pale colours seem particularly prone because (as you've noticed) it doesn't take a lot colour loss to turn a lovely pink blush into dirty cream. Generally colder temperatures and stronger light during bud developments seem to produce better colour. Lower light is good for getting better whites and greens but stronger light brings out the reds and yellows etc (NB strong light can also make the colours fade faster after the flowers open). If YOU have bloomed the orchid with the pink colours before there's no reason to think that you won't again. Bear in mind the weather has been all over the place in recent years and the orchids aren't in a particularly stable environment if grown out in the open. Expect some variation between years. See how the others open but if the spikes are still fairly small you could bring them out from under the pergola and see if you get better colour. One last point, obviously you're going to buy a flowering orchid based on flower colour but be aware that the colour you see may not necessarily be the same as the colour you end up with. Cymbidiums particularly are often forced by commercial nurseries to produce a salable product faster. You may notice differences in colour intensity under your conditions. Andrew |
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