Cym Tigrinum

[stumac]

I have a Cymbidium tigrinum which is growing well it is in large chunky bark . I have read that tigrinum grows in the wild as a lithophyte with this in mind when i repot would it be ok to use stone chippings.

[kindrag23]

I do not know but would love to see a picture of it. Cymbidiums and I thus far have not gotten along EVER...

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't grow this - but I would think that being a lithophyte, it should be fine to use some rock chips - I'm not sure if you mean using nothing but rock chips, or adding some to bark mix ... If these like to remain moist, like most Cyms, you need to be sure you can meet it's water needs if potted in rock chips ...
I think when orchids are lithophytes, they aren't growing on smooth surfaced rocks, but craggy ones, so some type of craggy or porous rock material might be preferable to 'chips'.

I have my Den kingianum potted in pumice-perlite mix (more water retentive than rock chips, I imagine), and it's a bit of a pain keeping that watered in summer

If it's doing well in bark mix (roots, and all) - I'd probably lean towards staying with that. Of course, if others familiar with the species say otherwise, I would definitely go with what they say

[Jeff Trimble]

The most important thing is not to water them much in winter! They rot their roots very quickly.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by stumac

I have a Cymbidium tigrinum which is growing well it is in large chunky bark . I have read that tigrinum grows in the wild as a lithophyte with this in mind when i repot would it be ok to use stone chippings.

There is an old saying, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If it is happy in large chunky bark, I would put it back into large chunky bark. I suspect you are looking at stone chippings for the calcium.


Cym Ladye