Quote:
Originally Posted by ndam
Hi, I am a novice grower of Asian cymbidiums in Southern California. I have had many issues with root rots like you and I am still searching a solution to minimize this issue. As I understand, Ensifolium or other types of orchids like Kanran, Sinense, or Goeringii cymbidiums, they are very sensitive to potting mix and water cycle. They like moist around their roots, but not wet for so long. I see you watered your cymbidium
at night during Summer which is good. In the Winter, you have to cut down watering and only water in early morning. Potting mix should NOT be majority of bark, since bark retains water too long and when it is decomposed, it causes the pH level higher. I talked to an advanced grower of Goeringii before, he told me the inorganic substances should be best for Asian cymbidiums. It should contain pumice, Japanese Akadama, Kanuma, and Satsuma soil. The mixture of these are not listed anywhere. It is unknown.
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Glad to hear I'm not alone in this niche journey haha. Did you by chance get info from Michael Hwang? I watched his talk "An introduction to East Asian Cymbidium" and it had some very similar info. Currently mine is in about half Japanese pumices and half bark, but I will be getting another White Snake to do a direct comparison with fully inorganic soil. Since I'm not on the coast, I'm wondering if bark may help preserve some humidity.
I did fix one thing, which was the depth. I realized I had to water too often because it was potted too high, which left the pbulbs dry but the roots too wet. Culture is weird for these guys. I keep trying to stick to what I know and modify based on recommendations for jensoa cyms, only to find out that these "half measures" of mine create their own problems. There is a website that specializes in Japanese imports, especially neofinetia, but they sell inorganic cym mix. Can't remember the name but I'll let you know if I find it!