Mix for cymb

[Ferns Daddy]

I was giving a cymb today that need to be repotted, the clear plastic pot its in has started to fall apart so I need to get it a new pot, the pot its in is around 4inches wide and about the same tall, I have a 5 inch clay pot that I want to use, I want to make sure I use the right kind of mix.

[WhiteRabbit]

They aren't horribly fussy -they want a mix that drains well, while retaining some moisture.

I use a combination of medium and fine fir bark, with added perlite - you can also add chunky charcoal - I also mix in some styro pnuts, but it's not necessary. I do have some of my smaller Cyms in coconut husk chips (the only reason I don't use chc for all Cyms is just that it's less expensive, and easier for me to get the bark chips).

If using a clay pot, soak it overnight before potting the plant into it. Most people use plastic pots for Cyms, since they do like to remain moist - but clay can be used - just watch that the media doesn't dry out completely.

Depending on the plant - if it's a regular sized Cym - either a so-called mini, or a standard - you might want to go to a 6" or 1 gallon pot - they can definitely fill a pot quickly. And a deeper than usual for most orchids is good - just to help accommodate their long roots. (That said, I have used shallower pots for small growing species, or immature plants, or plants with few roots)

[Ferns Daddy]

I'm not sure if it a regular size or not but I'm guessing its a reg size, I have 1 gal black plastic pots I can use, I would like to see it bloom next year with any luck
Thanks for the help

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Ferns Daddy

I'm not sure if it a regular size or not but I'm guessing its a reg size, I have 1 gal black plastic pots I can use, I would like to see it bloom next year with any luck
Thanks for the help

Unless it's a "teacup" (ultra small for a cym), seedling, or a small growing species with not much growth, I'd think the gallon pot would be good. How many growths does it have?

[Ferns Daddy]

it has 4 big fat ones and 2 little ones and lots of roots that are coming out of the pot where it has started to crack apart

[Cym Ladye]

The rule to follow when potting up a Cym is to allow 2" of space between the bulbs and the edges of the pot. This gives you about 2-3 years of growth. Do not do a full re-pot until the flush of bloom is over and the weather warms up. However, with care, you can drop it in a larger pot temporarily. The reason it should be temporary, is because you will not be disturbing the root ball and will have old media which may already be breaking down and rotting roots. Both these factors will cause the center of the pot to rot the roots more easily. If you do the "Drop and Pot", DO NOT OVERWATER!

If you want a complete guide to re-potting your Cym, send me a request with an email addy and I will send it your way. It is the hand out we use for our local Cymbidium Club at its yearly Hand's-on Potting Workshop. I have sent it to many members of this Board.

Cym Ladye