What is the lowest cold temperature that a Cymbidium can safely take? Just for the sake of discussion, let's assume that the low temperature will be around 4 hr. in duration, from 2 AM till 6 AM, and that it will warm back up to 60 F in the afternoon.

I have read Cymbidiums are native to the foothills of the Himalayas. But of course it is different for hybrids since they are grown differently.

What low temps are you planning to expose them too?

Saturday/Sunday is supposed to get down around 33 F. They are all under oaks and the oaks still have their leaves. There will be no danger of frost.

It really depends on the type of Cymbidium. Some species and hybrids will tolerate a frost without issue. Others (especially the warmth and heat-tolerant species and hybrids) will be more badly affected (and in a few cases, I have been advised that I shouldn't try to grow them in my climate).

I have read it can endure up to 28F, but blooms will be damaged if it is currently in bloom.

But if it were mine, I would play it safe, I would rather keep it indoors for that particular night.

In California (Zone 8) mine lived outside under oaks until they set buds in the fall. Then they moved to a GH where the lows were 38 - 40F all winter. They were huge and gorgeous.

My daughter accidently left one I had given her on her back porch a couple years ago - the temp that night was 19F! It survived, barely, I took the pieces back and its about to bloom. No, she won't get it back again.

I'll post photos when it blooms.

Wow, Daisy, that's cold. My greenhouses are kept at 60 F and if they are in the solarium, the low will be closer to 70 F.

Ken, Save the space for the warm growers and leave the Cyms. out under the trees. They'll love you for it.

Carol, all those 60 Cymbidiums are still outside, under the oaks. I did not get home till after dark yesterday, and thus, did not venture outside to check on all the plants left outside in near-freezing weather Sunday AM and today AM (below freezing). I did see that all the blooms on the plumeria were wilted, so at least the flowers/stalks on those plants were killed. I gotta pack up orchids for shipment this morning, so I will check on everything after it warms up a bit. It is only 37 F right now.

Here's a photo of one of the Cymbidium monsters just before we moved. Even though they were all in 18" - 20" pots, it was easy to give them away because downtown is warm enough that they can stay outside all year 'round with some protection.

Daisy, what a beauty! It is gorgeous!

Those are beautiful flowers, Daisy. Maybe I will see at least one of mine bloom this year.