Cymbidium extremely root bound

[Leslieann88]

I have three phals but this is my first cymbidium. I recently received a cymbidium as a gift. After it lost all of its blooms I decided to check out its root situation knowing that often newly purchased plants aren't always in the best medium. I also know they event always in the best health.

So I got the big guy out of his pot and it is just a solid mass of roots. I cannot even remove ANY of the old medium it almost seems like there isn't even any in there it's all roots.

So I'm pretty sure it is time for a bigger pot. My questions:

1.)How do I or should I loosen the roots/remove old medium

2.)Can I use the same medium I use for my phals? I put a pic of the ingredients in my orchid medium I used for the Phals.

3.)Also can you see my photos? Sorry first time poster.


Attachment 120047



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[magicsomething]

Hello! I'm somewhat new to answering others questions and I have never had an orchid with so many roots...
But... I have had other plants in similar conditions.

I usually used to let the plant resting in water to soften the old media, but this might be bad for orchids as it will not let the roots breath... Hope someone else back me up on this or just say if it is possible to do so.

Now I think the most safe thing to do would be just to place it on a new pot with new media and don't move the roots, probably as far as I understand how they work, if the old media clog the water it would damage the old roots, but not the new ones in the new media, decomposition happens over time, so even if you leave old media on the pot, there would be time for new roots to grow over the new media.

To compensate the old media lost properties, maybe you could use a lighter media around the roots, to ensure the water runs correctly around it and then apply a normal media around the rest.

People online seem to use a media composed of bark in chunks, bark finely cut, peat moss, perlite and sphagnum moss.
The AOS recomend medium fir bark, peat moss and perlite. I look for pics to reference but there's no pics...
The link consulted was this:
Cymbidium Culture Sheet

Best of luck and hope someone with more experience hurry and come to answer too!

[Leslieann88]

Thanks so much for the response. Soaking was what I was thinking maybe but I don't want to do the wrong thing.


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[bil]

I have bought identical Cymbidiums. In fact, now that I think about it, they have all been just as rootbound as yours.
I just get a bigger pot that will allow for a decent layer of chunky 2 inch bark on the bottom and a gap all round of two to three inches. I put a layer on the bottom, drop the plant in without touching the roots, and fill the pace all round with 2" bark and nothing else. So far it has worked well every time.

[Leslieann88]

Thanks Bil. I'll try that.


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[Leslieann88]

Will this potting media be ok?


In case you can't read it. I think the pic is blurry after I attached it. It says
"This product is formulated from 65-75% Western fir bark, perlite, and horticultural charcoal."

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[WhiteRabbit]

This is typical - You can use a chopstick, or similar clean tool - poke it in between roots, wiggle it around to loosen things, repeat all over The jet setting on a hose attachment can also be helpful. Don't worry too much about damaging roots, it's unavoidable, but try not to destroy them completely. You can cut off the lower one quarter to one third of the root mass.

Cyms aren't horribly fussy about potting media - it should retain moisture, and drain well.

This thread http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ad.php?t=73502 has links to Cym care info

[Blndbunny]

Thank you for posting this, I also have a very pot bound cymbidium that will need repotting once it's out of bloom.

I know from my research they tend to bloom best when kept in a tight pot, so remember that when picking a new pot. I have also read that they prefer to be a little on the acidic side

[bil]

Originally Posted by Leslieann88

Will this potting media be ok?

Attachment 120054
In case you can't read it. I think the pic is blurry after I attached it. It says
"This product is formulated from 65-75% Western fir bark, perlite, and horticultural charcoal."

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I know that cymbs are more terrestrial, but I do prefer an open mix. Mine do very nicely when potted in pure 2" bark. The large gaps make it easy for roots to penetrate, and are free and fast draining, and allow air to get in well. The more I grow orchids, the more I feel that a good supply of air to the roots is of utmost importance.
I now go to the trouble of sieving bark, and taking out all the smaller sizes so that the fat root orchids get a more open mix. Also, I sieve all the fine bark for the thin roots, so there is no dust in there to block the airflow.
I appreciate that everyone's conditions are different, and this medium may work fine for you. I am just suspicious of adding perlite and other fine material to potting mixes for orchids, especially so when I feel I am getting good results partly from eliminating all such stuff.

[Cym Ladye]

First of all, are the roots firm? From the photo, they appear soft and grey. If soft, you definitely need to remove at least half of them. Potting up rotten roots will only cause more problems.

Do not try to get the old mix off. Simply cut the root ball off about three inches below the pseudo bulbs. Twitching out the old mix from a compacted root ball like you have will only break the roots, assuming they are still good. Since you need to trim at least half the root length before you place in a new pot anyway, why not do it first?

The mix you have shown is OK for Cyms. but it depends on where you live. If you are in a part of the country where it is hot and humid in the summer, you will want a coarser mix. If you are in a hot and dry climate you will want a mix which holds water longer. The mix shown here is halfway in between,.

It is more difficult to pick the old media out of a wet root ball than a dry one. I do not water my plants to be repotted for at least a week and often two before I tackle them.

For an excellent free guide on repottiing Cymbidiums, send a PM to goldcoastcymgrowers@gmail.com. Many of the Forum members here have done so and have said it was very helpful.