2 quick questions

[mattryan]

I an wondering if anyone could answer these 2 questions of mne. Firstly is it common for and old cym leafless BB to make a new pbulb while still attached to the original plant? It has been in a very bad way for a bit, but it is also making another new pbulb from another almost leafless pbulb. So hopefully it has turned a corner. I always thought the BB had to be removed before they would sprout. Secondly I have a wildcat that is making a second spike the first spike had only 1 flower/bud. This one the first 2 buds it has 2 flowers the rest are singles. Will this plant possibly branch in the future or was this just a mutation? I am extremely happy to have 2 spikes from this odcm. I am just curious thanks!

[RosieC]

I think it's quite possible for an old back bulb to sprout.

If the plant has been struggling it might be short on 'eyes' to grow from on the other growths. In that case if there is a good 'eye' on the back bulb there is no reason for it not to use it.

My wildcat branches it's spikes with between 1 and 3 flowers on each one. I'm not sure what influences it and generally it will be a mixture with the lower ones likely to have more than the higher ones.

[Cym Ladye]

Your poor Cymbidium is desperately trying to survive, probably because it does not have enough good roots to support the plant. Sending out new growths is it's way of doing this. It is not uncommon for new growths to sprout from any pseudobulb, leafless or not, even on a healthy plant.

I hope you are considering re-potting your plant this spring if you have already done so. The shriveled bulbs are definite signs of stress and few if any viable roots. You mentioned it had gone through a bad time but you did not mention if you had re-potted it in fresh mix.

I also hope you are not letting it sit in water in that cache pot, as that is the surest way to rot roots and kill an orchid that I know of.

Cym Ladye

[mattryan]

Thanks for the replies I am hoping that it might end up branching because it has beautiful blooms (the wildcat) I posted them on an earlier post on orchids spiking.

The cym did have alot of root rot as it was in a catch pot outside that didn't have holes and got rained on (next time I will check!). I did a re-pot on it several times to get rid of all the rot and brought it inside before fall. It has been on west side window near my turtle tank. Maybe the lights and humidity helped it along. Now it is in a clear plastic pot the other pot is to hold it in place and not fall over. I don't know if I should re-pot again as the new growth has several roots and I don't want to stress it anymore. It is in new mix since late fall, can it stay in that until I am sure that it is growing well? I am afraid with smaller bark it will stay too wet and roots will rot again. Thanks for the help

Here are some better pics

[RosieC]

Cym Ladye is the expert, but I would say that if it's in fresh mix I would leave it and let the new roots grow into the new mix. It's good that the new growths are getting new roots and that you know the cause of the previous rot.

[Ray]

Concerning the odontocidium Matt, I'd bet it's a culture thing.

Most of the plants we purchase come from nurseries having close to optimal overall conditions of light, food, water, humidity, air movement, etc. Then we bring them home to "less ideal" overall treatment, so they take a step backwards, unable to reach their full genetic potential.

They will adjust and "recover" a bit, but unless we give them what they need, they will never be able to return to their previous "glory".

[Cym Ladye]

In regard to the Cym:

Inadvertently, you potted it in too small a pot for a normal two-year growth, but in so doing you did a good thing by not "over-potting" and causing the media to hold too much moisture because it was not being absorbed by the few roots that may remain.

That said:
1) Yes, I would definitely repot again in spring when the weather warms up and you can take it outside for the summer.
2) I would use a standard 1 gallon black pot. The one it is in will be too small for normal growth and I have never found clear pots good for Cyms.
3) Bury the pseudobulbs deeper in the pot, 1/3 is the best solution. Cym roots want to be IN THE POT, not on top.
4) Use a finer mix. 1/2 fine and medium bark + 20% perlite, if you want to go with bark; CHC medium chips and 20% coarse perlite if you want to go with Coco chips. I suspect your root rot was caused by the plant sitting in water and an old mix, not the size of the media. Roots will rot in any mix if allowed to sit in old, standing water.
5) When you repot, if you did not do this the first time, cut the old roots to about three inches from the bottom of the pseudo bulbs, UNLESS THEY HAVE NEW GROWTH AT THE TIPS. Remove any soft mushy tissue which may still be covering any of the remaining roots (Velamin).

If you email me privately, I will send you the repotting instructions we use for our GCCG Cymbidium club's annual hands on potting workshop. I have sent it out to several OB members.

Cym Ladye