Cymbids can be grown in the ground in Cali and in Fla.
Copcar, I don't generaly go with the orchids to better in small pot idea. I have over potted many a orchids and they do fine, but I don't have the "experience" to say its conclusive. When you mount an orchids you give it all the room it needs and mounts do fine. So go figure. I don;t think your in an area where you can leave the orchids out all year, so a large planting would not be a good idea for that reason. You have to be able to move them in during the winter. Plus you say that those are the more common things from stores. Well, you really can't grow Phals next to a dendrobium. You will either cook the phal when giving enough light to the Den, or you will starve the den when you give it phal light. Plus if you have some oncids in the mix then they need high light too. So unless you have a place its going to sit forever then I don't recomend doing a group planting, unless its a mount and the same types of orchids. Also needs to be stationary. Many people have had success doing an orchid tree, or group mount with plants of similar light requirements. They look good, but they are also in green houses or can be moved when needed. Good luck