Oliver Sparrow Writes:
However, virtually all of the
large flowered species and their progeny are monsoonal, which means that they
need a dry rest in Winter. This is usually accompanied by very bright sun in
the wild, and with temperatures which may be low or high, depending on their
habitat. As a rule, they will not flower unless given such a rest - typically,
in the Northern hemisphere, receiving no water whatsoever between October and
March. Many, such as C. sinense, iridioides and traceanum flower whilst dry,
as they do in the wild. If they are kept warm and wet, they will grow
prolifically, but seldom flower.
In coastal California, Where hybrid, and many species Cymbidiums flower spectacularly, Cymbidiums are never given a dry rest (except perhaps for the warmer growing Australian species and some of their hybrids). Our rainy season is essentially October-March. One can see many Cyms grown as garden plants or container plants blooming their fool heads off in the pouring rain. Cym. tracyanum blooms very readily here, and is an early bloomer, typically in bloom by mid November.
They certainly prefer less water as the temperatures get cooler, but they really do not need a dry rest, and the hybrids seem to resent it (though I have found that a couple of dry months in the early fall encourages spikes in C. devonianum). It seems to most California growers that the large difference between day and night temperature, and the cool to cold nights in the late summer and early fall (typically 15-20 degree f difference, with night temperatures around 55) is what induces flowering.
Dennis
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