Repotting a Cymbidium - Do I wash off all existing medium like on other other orchids

[orchids3]

I grow a couple of thousand cymbidiums in Jacksonville Florida. Growing is easy - flowering is maybe not so easy. Have written a lot and published in the "Social Groups" then "Cymbidiums" - Orchids3
Look at "Cymbidiums for NE Florida". Selecting the right plant has a lot to do with success as well as potting technique. Using media that stays soggy, breaks down fast or does not drain well is not good. For me dirt or dirt like media is out. I am using almost 100% Stalite gravel now mixed with very little CHC. Use a tablespoon of half dolomite lime and half crused sea shell on top of each gal pot. (Once a year to keep media from going acid) I set my pots in 1 inch pans of water. Grew cyms in Calif first before moving here 20 years ago - technique had to change.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by orchids3

I grow a couple of thousand cymbidiums in Jacksonville Florida. Growing is easy - flowering is maybe not so easy. ....

With enough time, energy and expense, I feel it is possible to adapt your conditions for any orchid genera you may wish to grow. Commercial growers have a reason to expend this effort if it pays financially.

However, I have always felt that growing high quality, exhibition type, awardable Cymbidiums in Florida is akin to us here in Northern California trying to grow high quality vandaceous orchids. Yes, it can be done, but it is much more difficult and blooming is unreliable as Orchids3 said, to say the least.

Most warmth tolerant Cymbidiums just do not have the form accepted for awards today. They may get the occasional award in Florida but, in my opinion, could not compete if exhibited in California today, certainly in the Standard category.

I was once told to "find that genera which grows best for you, diversify within that genera and grow a lot of it". It has worked for me for over 45 years. Do I know how to grow a vanda? YES. Do I choose to grow one? NO.


CL

[orchids3]

It might be wise to point out that breeding Cymbidiums that grow well in our heat has led to strains that grow with a lot more ease anywhere. All in all its a worthwhile effort. I remember working on a test garden for the "American Rose Society" when a college student in Pocatello Idaho. The Idea was to find strains of Roses for that climate. The CSA and AOS have missed doing a great service for their communities by do participating in field trials and tests. Some of us old hard nosed growers like myself take upon themselves to do it on our own. I can grow and flower Cyms outside much easier than Vandas. I would send all the vandas to the tropics but enjoy seeing what others do and encouraging them.

[Cym Ladye]

We seem to have drifted from Rosie's original question on culture, but I will close by saying that the CSA and the AOS are award granting and non-profit educational entities. Chastising them for not having "test gardens", presumably for commercial interests, seems a bit unfair.

[orchids3]

How is it that it is of benefit to commercial interests?
Helping other hobby growers to buy plants that will grow and flower for them? By the way one of the better breeders of warm growing cymbidiums is in Bangkok Thailand. If its such a waste of time why dont they just grow vandas. Ignoring species other than the Big Standards is to ignore 95% of the genetic material for breeding. All I want to do is to be of service to other Orchid lovers. I have no commercial interest. I like to show my plants to other people but could care less wheather the plant is called better than anyone else. I certainly would not sell my soul to win an award. In fact I dont think it worth the effort to even try although AOS Judges in my society often comment that I should.