Cymbidium had ants, It has been moved outside...

[kimduzzitt]

I have only had one cymbidium, it was a gift a few years back.
After about 6 months I began to notice small ants in my home and ended up finding a huge ants nest inside this one plant with all of my other orchids (at the time 6 or so Phalaenopsis and 3 Oncidium's ).
They Orchid itself prior to and even during seemed healthy, But I had not had it re bloom like my other orchids do. I figured this was because I had no experience with this variety and it being a "cooler weather" orchid I must have just needed to do something different.
After seeing the size of the nest I could not leave it in my home, But I did not have the heart to toss it either.
I took it outside (this was early summer in Kitsap County Wa) and removed it from its pot and soaked it in water & the next day started completely fresh orchid bark and a very large ceramic pot & left it be (besides watering).

... 2 years later, I have now moved & ants have not been an issue. This orchid has survived (not re bloomed or shown much growth). I feel as if I should soak it off down to bare root repot & try to bring it back in.

Any suggestions or insight on how I should go about this or just regular cymbidium care would be greatly appreciated.

[WhiteRabbit]

Yeah - I don't know what it is - but ants sure seem to love the Cym pots

Cyms like a good deal of light spring and summer while they are growing. Most need a period in late summer-fall, about two months - of cool night temps in order to initiate spikes. Water and fertilize well during spring and summer.

Because of the light requirements, and need for the cool night temps in fall, it's best to grow these outdoors if at all possible. If they cannot be grown outside in winter where you are (they can take short periods of temps just below freezing - in spike plants should be sheltered from frost or freeze) - put outside right after last chance of frost in spring, and then bring inside right before first chance of frost in fall/winter.

[Cym Ladye]

You do not say what your climate is but Sonja's info was correct in keeping Cyms outside as long as possible if not full time in temperate zones.

A recipe to rid a plant of ants is to purchase some ant powder; take the plant outside and place it on a sheet of paper; sprinkle the powder on the paper and on the top of the plant media; place the plant on the paper and bounce and tap the pot. Walk away for 10 minutes; return and repeat the tap/bounce/walk away 2 or 3 more times. Allow the plant to remain on the paper overnight. The next morning after bounce/tap, you should find all the ants gone!

Your plant appears to need a serios repot. if you will send me privately an email, I will send you the re-potting instructions we use for our club's annual Hand's on Potting Workshop. I have sent it out to several other OB members.

Cym Ladye