Cymbidium Orchids

[dukeofdoom]

A local store has these on clearance, as the plants are close to done flowering. I've read a little and it seems like they can be planted in soil and are cold hardy.
These are the biggest orchids I've seen.

Anyone one have experiences growing these outside?

I have some questions:

1. Will the plants flower again this season, if planted outdoors? Do they flower only once a season.
2. It says they are cold hardy, but I'm not sure if I can leave them outside the full year?
3. If need be, I would like to store them in the garage in winter. Can they overwinter this way? like canna lilies just keep the bulbs.
4. Will the bulbs multiply like canna lilies? will I get more bulbs each year?

Thanks for any help

[canadianplant]

They are cold hardy to zone 9 if I recall. They do great outside in the summer, or anytime the temps dont drop below 5 or 6C. They can indeed be grown in soil, but it needs to be very sharp draining. What it seems is they spread sortve like corms. Once the pup flowers, it seems to die, and is replaced. They do best in dappled light outside, and are cool climate orchids. IF youre hot they need more shade.

I think they can be stored in a cold room, but no lower then 6 or 8C. They can take lower, but not for long. They seem to grow really fast. To propagate them, they have to be divided. Ive read pages where people have used chainsaws because of the tough roots system. Im still working on indoor care. One is doing really well, and has been growing all winter and has been putting put pups since i got it. The other died down to one bulb, and has one pup that is growing. Any orchid can be fickle. I think coldish temps, or a "rest" will stimulate flowering, or cool temps in general. I wont know that till I get it outside or in the porch. Theyre gorgeous, and are usually 20 bucks, so if theyre cheap I would get them.

[dukeofdoom]

Thanks for all the great information. The website I read about them had them as zone 5, but that did not see right to me.

[canadianplant]

LOL zone 5? Can you post the link plz?

[dukeofdoom]

Bottom of the first page
http://www.proplants.com/guide/cymbidiu ... care-guide

[Jubaea]

They grow outside in California. The ones that I have survived down to 23F and 25F but were damaged. High 20's does not seem to bother them if it is for a brief period. I would caution with planting them in normal soil as their roots are prone to rotting if kept too moist. They also will only bloom once per year.