Oh no!!! What is hapenning to my new Cymbidium?

[Sandra75]

I will see if I can slide the Cymb out of its pot and take some pics ....

When I repot, I can safely cut roots down to about 6 inches? I also take out what is rotten.

[Sandra75]

I wasn't able to slide the Cymb out of its pot. However, I took the green moss out and here is what there is. Looks like bark but is probably broken down.

So now I have 2 new spikes!

On one pic, you can see what looks like a worm is a root and it doesn't seem to be "mushy"

[Paul Mc]

Yup, it does look like broken down bark which means it's been in that medium way too long. You should repot as soon as possible in an appropriate medium. The longest you would want to keep an orchid is a medium is 2 years from what I understand, but I'm not that certain of Cym's so someone else might want to chime in on that.

[Sandra75]

Thank you Paul!

Is regular small - medium bark with med sponge rocks ok for Cymbidium

... I also have Charcoal, a larger Coconut Husk, Hydroton and small Monterey Bark ...

Am new with Cymbidium so am a little confused for what goes for potting mix

Thanks for all's input on this!

[silken]

Good news about the new growths and roots. All is not lost. Cymbidiums are usually good with a small to med. bark. They like to have moister roots than catts and some other orchids. You could mix in some charcoal to help keep it fresh. If the good roots are longer than 6 inches, you can leave them and just fit them into the pot. But cut off any soft mushy and dead dried up roots. Cymbidiums like a tall deep pot rather than a wide shallow one. Any soft black pseudobulbs should be removed too and make sure you get all of the black rot if you have some of that which it kind of looked like in the photos. Good luck with it. You could cut your flowers and they keep quite long in a vase.

[Sandra75]

Thank for the information Silken.

I'll go with either kind of bark I have, with sponge rocks and charcoal ....

Should I get rid of the tiny middle bulbs? Am hoping to be able to keep the bigger ones, esp those with spikes

[silken]

If the middle bulbs look healthy and are solid, not mushy, no need to get rid of them. Until a bulb dies off, they do supply some nourishment to the plant.

It sounds like a good mix you will be using.

[Sandra75]

I been reading about Cymb potting mix, and looks like just bark and sponge rock mix is too dry for a Cymb?! That more should be add up to retain moisture ... I have a dry environment here, is it ok to add up Coir or Coconut Husk Chips (1/2" to 3/4") I dont have smaller?

To what percentage this whole mix should be?

[silken]

I've checked on OrchidWiz, and without having the name of your plant, in general the recommendation for potting media there is fir bark. It does say to not allow mature plants to dry out completely. Coconut husk is probably OK but my own experience with it, is it holds too much moisture and gets moldy sometimes in larger deep pots. However, my downfall is having a heavy watering hand. You will have to decide on your own environment and go from there. If it is in a deep pot, any media will be slow to dry near the bottom.