For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings would
help to make these donkey like plants flower.
Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next season,
they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side please? Thats
so I dont show my nasty side....

Jonno wrote:
For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings
would help to make these donkey like plants flower.
Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next
season, they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side please?
Thats so I dont show my nasty side....

I had the same trouble with mine until I cut down the Thuja tree that
was shading them. Suddenly, they all went mad and flowered for the next
two springs. Then my horse ate them.

!!!

--
Trish Brown {|:-}

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

"Trish Brown" wrote in message
...
Jonno wrote:
For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings
would help to make these donkey like plants flower.
Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next
season, they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side please?
Thats so I dont show my nasty side....

I had the same trouble with mine until I cut down the Thuja tree that was
shading them. Suddenly, they all went mad and flowered for the next two
springs. Then my horse ate them.
Well I had a mattress once, and my horse ate that too.
Serves you right for fattening them up for the horse, who knows a good feed
when he sees one. (Grin!)
It still doesnt solve that problem.
I water them and feed them and talk gently to them and things, but hey no
reponse.
I think they just want to ignore me.
Maybe if I get Mr Abbott over here we can get him to talk to them....


!!!

--
Trish Brown {|:-}

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Jonno wrote:

"Trish Brown" wrote in message
...
Jonno wrote:
For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings
would help to make these donkey like plants flower.
Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next
season, they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side
please? Thats so I dont show my nasty side....

I had the same trouble with mine until I cut down the Thuja tree that
was shading them. Suddenly, they all went mad and flowered for the
next two springs. Then my horse ate them.

Well I had a mattress once, and my horse ate that too.

LOL! I believe you! It's truly amazing what a horse can ingest with no
apparent ill-effects. Mine (same one that et the orchids) used to love a
chocolate paddle-pop, stick and all.

Serves you right for fattening them up for the horse, who knows a good
feed when he sees one. (Grin!)
It still doesnt solve that problem.
I water them and feed them and talk gently to them and things, but hey
no reponse.
I think they just want to ignore me.
Maybe if I get Mr Abbott over here we can get him to talk to them....

Could be you're feeding them too much? And they really do need a good
bit of sunlight in order to flower. I'd always thought they needed deep
shade, but I was very wrong about that. Hope you get them going - it's
lovely when they do flower! ;-D

--
Trish Brown {|:-}

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:35:26 GMT, "Jonno" wrote:

For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings would
help to make these donkey like plants flower.

Frost can kill orchids.

Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next season,
they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side please? Thats
so I dont show my nasty side....

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:35:26 GMT, "Jonno" wrote:

For some years I have been trying to get cymbidium orchids to flower.
I have recently moved to a colder area, and hoped the frosty mornings
would
help to make these donkey like plants flower.

Frost can kill orchids.
How Do I feel about that? If they die they die.

Nothing I can do will coerce these plants.
If they keep looking like crap, and dont start something this next
season,
they will be barbequed en masse.
Does anyone have any hints to get them to show their nice side please?
Thats
so I dont show my nasty side....

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem ;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun, morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they did very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in Melb) and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem ;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun,
morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they did
very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in Melb)
and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan

If cymbidiums won't flower, it's usually for one reason - not enough light.
Give them more direct sun. And plenty of it. All day won't hurt them.
The leaves may look a bit burnt, but you don't want nice leaves, you want
flowers.
Feed them with a weak fertiliser - Yates Orchid Food is a good one - about
twice a month.

One trick commercial flower growers use is to spray cold water on them in
the evening for the last two weeks in January.
This duplicates the chill they get from cold air coming down onto them from
the Himalayas - where most of their ancestors come from.

Davo

" Dan" wrote in message
...

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem
;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun,
morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they did
very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in Melb)
and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan

I hope thats the problem. Where I live now weve got lots of light, and they
certainly got enough in Melbourne so that shouldna been a problem.
Chilly air in January, where can we get this in January.....
'Tasmnia perhaps. We'll try cold water with ice blocks this year. I dont
hold out much hope.
We will keep you posted here in the New season what ever happens.
When should they flower as a rule?


"Don Davies" wrote in message
...
If cymbidiums won't flower, it's usually for one reason - not enough
light.
Give them more direct sun. And plenty of it. All day won't hurt them.
The leaves may look a bit burnt, but you don't want nice leaves, you want
flowers.
Feed them with a weak fertiliser - Yates Orchid Food is a good one -
about twice a month.

One trick commercial flower growers use is to spray cold water on them in
the evening for the last two weeks in January.
This duplicates the chill they get from cold air coming down onto them
from the Himalayas - where most of their ancestors come from.

Davo

" Dan" wrote in message
...

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem
;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun,
morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they
did very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in
Melb) and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan

Depends on the crossing. Early cyms flower from April - May, later ones can
be October - November.
Or anywhere in between. When they do flower, spikes can last 2 to 3 months,
given protection from the elements.
Bring them inside while they're in flower.
By keeping a range of early to late flowerers, you can have flowers for 6
months of the year.

Can't recommend using ice blocks - you don't want to freeze them, just give
a sudden drop in temperature.
This initiates the flower spikes.

"Jonno" wrote in message
...
I hope thats the problem. Where I live now weve got lots of light, and they
certainly got enough in Melbourne so that shouldna been a problem.
Chilly air in January, where can we get this in January.....
'Tasmnia perhaps. We'll try cold water with ice blocks this year. I dont
hold out much hope.
We will keep you posted here in the New season what ever happens.
When should they flower as a rule?


"Don Davies" wrote in message
...
If cymbidiums won't flower, it's usually for one reason - not enough
light.
Give them more direct sun. And plenty of it. All day won't hurt them.
The leaves may look a bit burnt, but you don't want nice leaves, you want
flowers.
Feed them with a weak fertiliser - Yates Orchid Food is a good one -
about twice a month.

One trick commercial flower growers use is to spray cold water on them in
the evening for the last two weeks in January.
This duplicates the chill they get from cold air coming down onto them
from the Himalayas - where most of their ancestors come from.

Davo

" Dan" wrote in message
...

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem
;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun,
morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they
did very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in
Melb) and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan

I meant in the water....

"Davo" wrote in message
. au...
Depends on the crossing. Early cyms flower from April - May, later ones
can
be October - November.
Or anywhere in between. When they do flower, spikes can last 2 to 3
months,
given protection from the elements.
Bring them inside while they're in flower.
By keeping a range of early to late flowerers, you can have flowers for 6
months of the year.

Can't recommend using ice blocks - you don't want to freeze them, just
give
a sudden drop in temperature.
This initiates the flower spikes.

"Jonno" wrote in message
...
I hope thats the problem. Where I live now weve got lots of light, and
they certainly got enough in Melbourne so that shouldna been a problem.
Chilly air in January, where can we get this in January.....
'Tasmnia perhaps. We'll try cold water with ice blocks this year. I dont
hold out much hope.
We will keep you posted here in the New season what ever happens.
When should they flower as a rule?


"Don Davies" wrote in message
...
If cymbidiums won't flower, it's usually for one reason - not enough
light.
Give them more direct sun. And plenty of it. All day won't hurt them.
The leaves may look a bit burnt, but you don't want nice leaves, you
want flowers.
Feed them with a weak fertiliser - Yates Orchid Food is a good one -
about twice a month.

One trick commercial flower growers use is to spray cold water on them
in the evening for the last two weeks in January.
This duplicates the chill they get from cold air coming down onto them
from the Himalayas - where most of their ancestors come from.

Davo

" Dan" wrote in message
...

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the problem
;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter sun,
morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they
did very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in
Melb) and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan

Which could still be too cold. A spray of normal tap water is all you need.

"Jonno" wrote in message
...
I meant in the water....

"Davo" wrote in message
. au...
Depends on the crossing. Early cyms flower from April - May, later ones
can
be October - November.
Or anywhere in between. When they do flower, spikes can last 2 to 3
months,
given protection from the elements.
Bring them inside while they're in flower.
By keeping a range of early to late flowerers, you can have flowers for 6
months of the year.

Can't recommend using ice blocks - you don't want to freeze them, just
give
a sudden drop in temperature.
This initiates the flower spikes.

"Jonno" wrote in message
...
I hope thats the problem. Where I live now weve got lots of light, and
they certainly got enough in Melbourne so that shouldna been a problem.
Chilly air in January, where can we get this in January.....
'Tasmnia perhaps. We'll try cold water with ice blocks this year. I dont
hold out much hope.
We will keep you posted here in the New season what ever happens.
When should they flower as a rule?


"Don Davies" wrote in message
...
If cymbidiums won't flower, it's usually for one reason - not enough
light.
Give them more direct sun. And plenty of it. All day won't hurt them.
The leaves may look a bit burnt, but you don't want nice leaves, you
want flowers.
Feed them with a weak fertiliser - Yates Orchid Food is a good one -
about twice a month.

One trick commercial flower growers use is to spray cold water on them
in the evening for the last two weeks in January.
This duplicates the chill they get from cold air coming down onto them
from the Himalayas - where most of their ancestors come from.

Davo

" Dan" wrote in message
...

"James McNangle" wrote in message
...
"Jonno" wrote:

Put them in a morning sun position and see how they go next season.
Morning sun? I reckon I've tried midnight sun, midday sun evening
sun,
shaded, part shaded,
wet dry even repotted.
Even had witches fly over them at full moon.
I can see why theyre so rare. People eventually give up....
Fussy beggars....
Now whats the REAL secret.
No guesses allowed.....

Where do you live? It just might have something to do with the
problem ;-)

We used to keep them under the almond tree, where they got winter
sun, morning
sun in summer. My late wife used to repot them & feed them, and they
did very
well. But they haven't been repotted for 10 years, the possums have
killed the
almond, they don't get much water with the restrictions (we live in
Melb) and
they aren't doing too well.


James McNangle
Know damn all about orchids, but was told, no feed, minimum water, and
plenty of sun for two months before flowers due.
Cheers,
Dan