New to Cyms, looking for tips - Orchid Board

Strat Guy · #1 10-18-2011, 10:13 PM

Got this Cym for $5 at Home Depot in March, knew it was an orchid but didn't know what kind it was when I bought it. Suffice to say, no tags, nothing. I've only read some vague tips on care, was looking for some better guidance.

As far as its current home, I'm keeping it in an east facing window. I only have one window available for plants, so its at home with a variety of other orchids (Phals, Dendrobiums, Oncidium, Brassia, and a few others). I read somewhere that they need cooler nights to set a spike, so I've had it outside since August with my Phals. Its getting down to around 40F at night (I'm near Chicago), so I'm beginning to bring it in at night, and keep it out during the day (still around 60F during the day). I feed it a basic orchid fert whenever I water, which can vary. High potash. I let it dry out between waterings, its in a large pot so I don't want it to rot. Overall, it seems very healthy, and is constantly growing new pseudobulbs, its grown like 5 or 6 since I bought it.

So, does this sound good? Should I be switching fertilizer as I bring it inside? What about its water requirements? Any help will be appreciated.

Cheers!

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-18-2011, 11:10 PM

The floppy foliage can be a sign of insufficient light - they really like a good deal. Phal light is probably not sufficient. Mine take full sun all morning.

They can take lows down to a bit below freezing for short periods I'd leave them outside til you have a chance of frost at night.

I do not allow mine to dry out - they like to remain moist, but in well draining media. I'd pot this one down - tho I don't think it's essential to do that now.

During spring and summer they like a good deal of fertilizer, tho leaf tips can burn from excess fertilizer - flush media well with plain water at least once a month. Fertilizer can be reduced in winter.

gl!

Strat Guy · #3 10-19-2011, 07:53 AM

rabbit-

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to supplement light, I've been thinking about it for a while.

I know it should be in a smaller pot, but quite honestly, it wouldn't fit! This is the smallest pot I could get it in, and the roots are packed in there tight.

Thanks for the help!

Cym Ladye · #4 10-19-2011, 12:58 PM

Next time you repot, divide or pot down, trim the bottom 1/3 of the roots off. It does no good to fill the pot with a bunch of old, broken roots the majority of which will die at the breaks, leaving no room for new roots to branch off.

I agree with White Rabbit on "not enough light". Your plant may be sending out new growths, hopefully ending up bigger than the previous ones, but it will not bloom without more light. Growing Cyms near Chicago will not be an easy task for you.

There are many tips on all subjects on this section of the OB. Just let your fingers do the walking in the "search" menu... If you still have a specific question, just ask.

Cym Ladye

Strat Guy · #5 10-19-2011, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the help.

Should I cut 1/3 of the roots back even if they're not dead? When I potted it in its current pot, I cut off all the dead roots. The pot is still full, and at least when I potted it, they were all very alive and healthy. I wouldn't want to cause it harm by cutting off roots that appear to be in perfectly good shape...

Cym Ladye · #6 10-20-2011, 01:12 PM

Strat Guy,

If you will contact me personally with an email address, I will send you the complete repotting/dividing procedure I use when I conduct the yearly workshop for our club. I have sent it to several other members of the OB. It will answer all your questions on how, when, what, where, etc.

When cutting roots, yes, you cut the healthy ones too so that no root is long enough to touch the bottom of the pot. I remove the bottom 1/3 of the root ball as soon as I take the plant out of the old pot.

Cym Ladye

Strat Guy · #7 11-08-2011, 11:00 PM

Update-

Whatever it is I'm doing, I'm apparently doing it right... I just found two new spikes growing! I'll put pics up once I get my camera out. I thought they were more pseudobulbs at first but they definitely look different than a new bulb. Super cool, especially since I have no clue what the flower looks like.

WhiteRabbit · #8 11-09-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat Guy

Update-

Whatever it is I'm doing, I'm apparently doing it right... I just found two new spikes growing! I'll put pics up once I get my camera out. I thought they were more pseudobulbs at first but they definitely look different than a new bulb. Super cool, especially since I have no clue what the flower looks like.

Awesome!