Re-potting Cym

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Randy

Hi Fisher,

When I repot my Cyms. I use a mix that has a lot of organic material in it. No manure, but a good amount of peatmoss and some well broken up coconut husks in a regular potting mix. Once in the pot I put Nutracote on top. I get very strong growth and lots of spikes in the next few years until it's time to repot again. I like the Nutracote because it will fertilize automatically every time you water but won't burn like Ozmacote (sp) can.

Now, our weather here is much cooler year round than it is in Florida, but I got some fantastic flowers this year. Last summer I think I only had to water my plants while they were outside twice because we had that much rain. My largest Cym had 9 spikes this year, WOW! I got 2-3 on each one of the others, except the one I divided.

One other thing, when I repot, many times I will trim the bottom inch off the roots to encourage root growth. And, like you were advised above, don't overpot.

Blessings,
Randy

When do you put yours outside? I put 1 out a week ago and I'm afraid it may have been too early with the cold and rain we had recently.

[orchidlvr2]

I also use organics in my cym. repotting mix. I use choppped oak leaves (for the acid) and add a top dressing of crushed egg shells. I clean out the yolk and let them dry well before crushing. Blooming is not a problem!

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by orchidlvr2

I also use organics in my cym. repotting mix. I use choppped oak leaves (for the acid) and add a top dressing of crushed egg shells. I clean out the yolk and let them dry well before crushing. Blooming is not a problem!

What are the benefits of crushed egg shell?

[breeindy]

Cymbidiums can probably handle the most finer mix out of the orchids. I use a smaller bark with more fines in it for them rather than the chunky bark mix used for rot-pron phals.

[RosieC]

I put one in to an unheated green house last week and the temp has been getting down to 4C inside so I'm not sure if I should have done. It's still alive at the momment though

[Hedge]

For advice on growing cyms and when to put outdoors etc,I recommend this thread Cymbidium

My friend has put one out already but I'm holding off as they are currently experiencing min 14 deg C indoors and my greenhouse went down to 3 the other night.

[Hedge]

Originally Posted by cabbo

What are the benefits of crushed egg shell?

it is a source of calcium

[Leisurely]

Originally Posted by Hedge

it is a source of calcium

I don't know if it works or not but for calcium I pound a few calcium pills and sprinkle them on the surface.

[Hedge]

I'm not convinced on the egg shell as a calcium source in reality because calcium carbonate is not very soluble and the roots can only pick up calcium ions in solution in the water - but it's what we were taught on a gardening course and my father used to add them to the compost heap.

[orchids3]

Hi Leasurly,
Have been growing cym's in Florida for 20 yrs now. Before that it was Connecticut and Calif. . My collection of cyms is around 2500. The results of my growing has led many to comment that I know what I am doing. Selection of potting material in our rainy climate is differant than other climates. Drainage is critical. If you read Milton Carpenters article on cym potting in the last Orchids magazine you will see a mix of Pearlite and Choconut Husk Chips recomended.
Perlite has a dust that I cant tolerates so I use Stalite Gravel instead. 3/4 Stalite to 1/4 CHC. Have found that a lot of the mixes that are used elsewhere are not good here and lead to root rot.

It is important to use 1 Tablespoon of Dolomite Lime for each Gallon pot. The lime does not supply very much Calcium but does buffer the acidity that comes from excessive rain. I keep my pH levels around 7 or a little lower but not 6. A small detail but the roots live. Nutracote is excellent and I use a 360 controlled release form (13-13-13) I recently got a large sample bag of (13-5-11) which should be better - will have to comment next year. I water in
MSU fertilizer or equivalent after hard rains (fertilizer) washes away. I use hand made pots with the drain holes about 3/4 inches above the bottom.
A great grower in Australia has used this type of pot for years. An alternate would be to place a 3/4 dish under the pot. If you dont use the lime then forget using a pot with a resevoir. Hope this help from another Florida Cym grower helps.