Orchids neglected - Orchid Board

Orchard007 · #1 08-20-2009, 03:38 PM

I recently was given about 100 cymbidiums from a retired Orchids hobbyist they were neglected for about 2 years and are full of pine needles and weeds should I repot them all or just clean them up…Some have brown tips and yellow leaves what is the best course of action?

richardb · #2 08-20-2009, 03:43 PM

I would say just tidy them up for this year and see what you get with flowers. Cymbidiums like to be pot bound so a bit of TLC and some fertilizer should do the trick then you can decide what to do next spring. If you repot now you may lose a season's flowers then you will not know what they produce.
Richard

Orchard007 · #3 08-20-2009, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the reply I'll tidy them up. How much space should be given between each plants

richardb · #4 08-20-2009, 04:28 PM

I assume you have checked, or precautionary dosed, for bugs or other critters before mixing with your other plants.
Difficult to say how much space because I am in England and do not enjoy your climate. But for me the short answer is "as much as possible" though having said that, mine never leave my greenhouse and the foliage are touching all the time. They need plenty of light and air, and water in the summer, and to initiate spikes they need a big diurnal change in temperature. Mine bloom their hearts out because they get perhaps 30c in the summer days down to12/13c at night. Mine are spiking early this year because we had a very hot few weeks in May/June but back to temperate cool for the last few weeks so I guess they thing Autumn has come!
Good Luck
Richard

orchidbingo · #5 08-20-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchard007

I recently was given about 100 cymbidiums from a retired Orchids hobbyist they were neglected for about 2 years and are full of pine needles and weeds should I repot them all or just clean them up…Some have brown tips and yellow leaves what is the best course of action?

You were given about 100 cymbidiums?

If anybody on OB decides to retire from orchids, I will be more than happy to clean up your orchids!

Good luck with all the cyms.

bingo

Orchard007 · #6 08-20-2009, 06:45 PM

Thank you Richard, I have them in a corner of my yard. I've noticed that some of the plants were over watered because they were on a water timer and it would run everyday. Should i wait to let them dryout or repot them? I think next spring would be a better time to repot but i'm fearfull that some may rot and die.. Any sugestions// AVG temp in Los Angeles this time of year is 85 to 90