Cymbidium re-potting: is Autumn OK?

[Orchid Whisperer]

I only have one Cymbidium, a C. Tommy 'Sweet Lime' I got as a division from a former member on OB. It is a pendant-spiked plant, warm tolerant, a reliable blooming plant.

Busy with work and other things this year, I've been lax on repotting plants. This plant is very root bound, but there are healthy roots coming out the drainage holes, leaves look good. Only one probable flower spike though.

The plant will stay outdoors most of the winter, sheltering indoors or in a garage when temps get a little too low. Also indoors when blooming. I've done this successfully for a few years.

My question: is autumn a reasonable time to repot? Or should I wait and repot in the spring?

[stonedragonfarms]

Usually repotting is 'recommended' for spring, as day length & increased night temperatures are triggers for increased root growth [Cymbidium roots put on new growth year round, it occurs at a faster pace under prime conditions]. You can certainly repot now should you choose; the plant will be dealing with stress from root damage though, so best practice is to remove any developing spikes, allowing the plant to divert energy from blooming to repairing damaged root tips and lost root mass. Want flowers? Wait until spring or post blooming.

[Roberta]

I would wait on the repotting. It doesn't sound like an emergency situation that would require "right now". Cyms do just fine being potbound - in fact they seem to bloom best about the time that they are breaking the pot. And you likely have a spike on the way... just wait until spring... after it blooms if that happens. No urgency at all.

I repot Cyms through August (still later than most people), but where I live I know that they'll still have at least 2 months of warm weather after that. Ideal time is spring, sometimes life gets in the way.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Stonedragonfarms and Roberta, thanks for your posts.

Since it isn't an emergency, I think I will follow the advice to wait until spring.