Question
I received a cymbidium stem cutting - I put it in the pot with bark, but should I leave some roots out on top and should I leave it outside (san francisco 50 ish and shady)or bring it indoors?

Answer
Hello Pat,

I am not sure what you got was a cymbidium as all cymbidiums I have seen do not grow from stems but rather from pseudobulbs.  But, if you received a cymbidium flower stem (spike), that sounds more likely.  If it was a spike, I am afraid planting it in a pot will not produce new growths but the flowers will slowly wilt and die over several weeks.  

Living in the San Francisco area, there are several orchid clubs devoted to cymbidiums, one is in San Mateo and the other in Oakland.  Along with these, there are several orchid clubs for persons that grow many of the other types of orchids (including cymbidiums).  One is the San Francisco Orchid Society that produces the orchid show in Fort Mason each February.  

Sorry I could not be of more help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.