New Acquisitions (Cymbidiums)!

[Cym Ladye]

<<I couldn't remove all the old media out from between the roots because the roots were tightly stuck together and tangled.>>

A pointed wooden skewer should have gotten the mix out from the roots, especially if you cut the bottom 1/3/ off. Was the root ball wet by any chance? Dividing a recently watered plant is MUCH more difficult than dividing a dry one.

CL

[empiref]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

<<I couldn't remove all the old media out from between the roots because the roots were tightly stuck together and tangled.>>

A pointed wooden skewer should have gotten the mix out from the roots, especially if you cut the bottom 1/3/ off. Was the root ball wet by any chance? Dividing a recently watered plant is MUCH more difficult than dividing a dry one.

CL

Cym Ladye,

I read your instructions carefully, and yes i used a wooden skewer to pluck out the old medium pieces, the root mass was wet because i was using the garden hose to flush the old media out.

It was a small pot with 8 bulbs in it. the root mass was like one big block of concrete!

[Cym Ladye]

I have learned over the years that when you get a plant that packed in the pot you will almost always find a "solid" root ball. In those cases, I definitely let the plant dry before I tackle it and cut the root ball more drastically to 1/2 half. Loosening and then picking away at a dry root ball I have found to be easier than washing it with water, but only trial and error on your part will determine your method of choice.

Cheers,

CL

[empiref]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

I have learned over the years that when you get a plant that packed in the pot you will almost always find a "solid" root ball. In those cases, I definitely let the plant dry before I tackle it and cut the root ball more drastically to 1/2 half. Loosening and then picking away at a dry root ball I have found to be easier than washing it with water, but only trial and error on your part will determine your method of choice.

Cheers,

CL

Hello Cym Ladye,

I moved my second Cym into Semi-Hydro, this time, I worked with a dry root ball, I took my time carefully and untangled all the roots slowly and managed to clean 90% of the old medium without cutting the bottom 1/3 of the root ball. Root damage was about 10%, all the new growth were intact.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by empiref

Hello Cym Ladye,

I moved my second Cym into Semi-Hydro, this time, I worked with a dry root ball, I took my time carefully and untangled all the roots slowly and managed to clean 90% of the old medium without cutting the bottom 1/3 of the root ball. Root damage was about 10%, all the new growth were intact.

Rosie is absolutely correct. You want NEW roots to form. old ones. Also, the vigor of the new S/H roots may well be far better than the old ones. Why fill up space with old roots when you really want new ones forming off the old ones????

For S/H culture, I would cut 2/3 of the old roots back - BEFORE getting the old mix out. Roots should be no longer than 3" from the base of the pseudo bulb.

Cheers,
CL