Re(2): Cymbidiums
davidfeix@yahoo.com writes:
>Barry,
>
>Cymbidiums should be perfectly happy in your garden.
>In zone 17, they can even take close to all day sun.
>The plants are fully hardy to 25F, but bloom spikes
>can be damaged at 32F. I find they look best if grown
>under cover from winter rains, baited for snails, and
>protected from frosts, and the flowers will last in
>good shape for 4 to 5 months.
I'm sure it wouldnt be hard to cover the clumps in my garden, as if I do
buy some, there would only be a small section of the garden devoted to
them. Snails are my big problem. I find that they nearly always devour any
seedlings I have (lost an entire crop of Asclepias curassavica seedlings
to them). So, baiting would have to be done (interestingly, they've left
my banana alone, and they really dont touch most of my plants, but i see
many of them out at night). Of course, it should be hard to protect them
from frost either. Hmm, maybe i'll look into them. My garden would be even
more unique than it already is ;).
>Combining some of the
>new cultivars can give you up to 10 months of bloom
>these days. Out in the garden with excellent drainage,
>they will also do well, but the flowers are eagerly
>sought out by slugs and snails, with just enough
>damage to make 5 months of brown edged flowers an
>annoyance. The newer hybrid dwarf cymbidiums are well
>worth collecting, but more expensive than the older,
>larger cultivars.
Drainage is no problem at all. I like the larger flowered cymbidiums
myself. Plus, the older, larger cultivars seem to be a bit more common
here.
>
>You might also want to consider Reed Stem
>Orchids/Epidendron hybrids. These can be virtually
>everblooming in our climate, located in a warm sunny
>spot and regularly fed. Growing them in pots is best,
>so they can be moved under an overhang for frost
>protection in the winter. They don't like anything
>below 32F, and sometimes show cold damage at slightly
>above freezing temps. They can grow to 6 foot tall,
>and range from yellow, orange, red, purple,to white,
>and look like miniature clusters of Cattleya orchids.
Well, the problem in my yard is the place where They would get enough sun
is too close to the street. But, that's not protected at all (and it gets
the coldest there, since it's basically out in the open). I really dont
want kids running them over, as they have a tendency to do with plants
near sidewalks in non-fenced in yards. Also, near the sidewalk, 6 feet is
a bit too tall for that spot ;).
BUT........when we finally do get the side yard and backyard cleaned up (a
dream at this point), they might love the side yard, since it's the
warmest spot in our property, being a south facing exposure.
>
>
>They grow to perfection in Southern California's
>Sunset Zones 23 and 24.
If only i lived in those zones. I guess when I graduate i'll have to look
for a job in Santa Barbara, or San Diego ;).
