maintaining size of cymbidium

[bjames]

I have a cymbidium that is getting very large and unmanageable for the 24" pot that it is in. The leaves span about 24-30" each! I do not want to increase the size of the pot to accommodate it, but, do not want to inhibit its growth or amount of flower spikes. Is this possible? Will cutting off just the old growth enable me to maintain the plant's desired size and prolificness? Any advice on keeping the plant in the same size pot?

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by bjames

I have a cymbidium that is getting very large and unmanageable for the 24" pot that it is in. ........Any advice on keeping the plant in the same size pot?

Since you do not wish to increase the size of the pot the best answer to your dilemma is to divide the plant into a size that will again fit into your 24" pot with about 2" to spare between the edge of the division and the rim of the pot. No, it may not have as many spikes as the original because the plant will be half the size but that is just the way of cymbidium growing. Keep the other half and put it in another 24" pot and between the both, you will have what you started with.

There are several threads lately that have discussed dividing and repotting cyms. Check those out and if you still have questions, I am certain you will get all the answers you need back here.

Whatever you decide, do not cut off the leaves from the bulbs that have bloomed. This will cause huge problems.

[unhappykat]

I agree, do not remove older foliage or you will severely impair the plants growing and flowering abilities. A way i have found to be helpful in maintaning size is to allow only 1 growth from each bulb per year, you will have to remove all other new leads from your bulbs except one per bulb or one per plant, it can be painful but it does keep the growth in check. other than that you will just have to divide and keep it as happy as possible until it blooms again. Cyms are just big and theres little in the way of getting around that.