How long do Cymbidium goeringii flower buds need vernalization? | Try not to go below 70 days

I saw a fellow orchid grower ask how long Cymbidium goeringii flower buds need vernalization. The vernalization period should preferably be 70-100 days, and try not to go below 70 days. The longer the vernalization time, the better the flowering quality will relatively be, but it should not be too long, otherwise it will have all that energy and nowhere to use it.

Regarding the issue of vernalization, the old masters have said a lot, and all of it offers good reference value. Let me talk about what I have experienced in practice (Cymbidium goeringii vernalization in the north):

First, select strong seedlings with good genes (provenance). If the genes (provenance) are not good, no matter how vigorously they grow, they will not bloom well. When orchid growers post that the flowering quality is poor and say they will vernalize again the next year, I want to say that if the genes (provenance) are not good, no amount of vernalization will help, and the next year will bring heartbreak again. But for those with good genes (provenance), sometimes they do not bloom well, and that is indeed a matter of vernalization and other issues. The pictures in this article all began vernalization on November 26, 2017.

Second, vernalization duration. It should preferably be 70-100 days, and try not to go below 70 days. The longer the vernalization time, the better the flowering quality will relatively be, but it should not be too long, otherwise it will have all that energy and nowhere to use it.

Third, vernalization temperature. Try to choose a stepwise cooling method for vernalization. I vernalize by going from 20-15-10-5 degrees. The temperature absolutely must not be too high. Once the crystal heads and autumn shoots grow, the flowering quality will inevitably be affected.

Fourth, vernalization timing. I choose to start vernalization when the flower buds emerge about 0.5-1 cm. Setting aside other factors, the choice of vernalization timing and the light before vernalization are crucial to the vividness of the tongue markings.

Fifth, watering during vernalization. There is no fixed standard; just water when it is dry.

The original text has been abridged. Original title: "Experiences with Cymbidium goeringii Vernalization in the North." Author: Shandong Qingfeng Guolan