Growing Cymbidium Bare Root in the Winter

[drewtoby]

I just got my first Cymbidium! It just finished flowering (got it on sale). How often do I need to water it bare root during its winter rest? I just dip it into water every few days at the moment and want to be sure this is okay.

[campchi]

You might want to just potted up. Water when medium dry.

[rbarata]

You might want to just potted up. Water when medium dry.

Good advise. A well established cymb can take a lot of water, cold, dry medium, almost anything you can think of. But in your case, campchi's advise is the best procedure.

[drewtoby]

I have a love/hate relationship with medium, as I have rotted too many roots. If I were to continue as is, would I need to water x2 a day?

[rbarata]

x2 a day? I water mine once per week, maybe twice in summer.

[WhiteRabbit]

Typically, Cyms don't want any rest period (I can't say about every single one - is yours a species, or hybrid?)
- and like moist media. I've found most are difficult to overwater if the media and pots drain well, and the pot is not left sitting in water.

Links to Cym care info are here Basic Cymbidium culture (links)

[drewtoby]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Typically, Cyms don't want any rest period (I can't say about every single one - is yours a species, or hybrid?)
- and like moist media. I've found most are difficult to overwater if the media and pots drain well, and the pot is not left sitting in water.

Links to Cym care info are here Basic Cymbidium culture (links)

Okay, so these roots aren't as prone to root rot as most other orchids? Could I actually use some soil or spag mixed with bark for it?

I currently have it in a 5" pot (1" larger than before). Instead of drilling drainage holes, I might just pile some rocks on the bottom and only water via misting when the top is dry, especially since they don't like to dry out.

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[gngrhill]

Thanks, White Rabbit, for the links. Very informative.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by drewtoby

Okay, so these roots aren't as prone to root rot as most other orchids? Could I actually use some soil or spag mixed with bark for it?

I currently have it in a 5" pot (1" larger than before). Instead of drilling drainage holes, I might just pile some rocks on the bottom and only water via misting when the top is dry, especially since they don't like to dry out.

They need drainage holes! Many people grow hybrid Cyms in fast-draining soil mixes. As in, real soil dug from the ground, mixed with bark, perlite, sphagnum, peat, pumice, leaf mold, sand.... the list goes on and on. Read the links White Rabbit gave. People in southern California who know nothing about plants grow Cymbidiums in giant pots next to their front doors. (People who know a lot about plants also grow them.)

[drewtoby]

Originally Posted by estación seca

They need drainage holes! Many people grow hybrid Cyms in fast-draining soil mixes. As in, real soil dug from the ground, mixed with bark, perlite, sphagnum, peat, pumice, leaf mold, sand.... the list goes on and on. Read the links White Rabbit gave. People in southern California who know nothing about plants grow Cymbidiums in giant pots next to their front doors. (People who know a lot about plants also grow them.)

Okay, I'll drill the holes then. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 10:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

I drilled 4 drainage holes and now have it in a 7" pot with bark and some spag. From the links Whiterabbit gave and your responses, I think this setup will be okay. I need to stop worrying so much about root rot!