Cymbidiums in Orchiata advice?

[Paul Mc]

Ha!!! Well, this one is gong to get some abuse! Thought it would be today, but it hasn't stopped storming since 7:30pm last night. At least the roots and medium will be thoroughly soaked again.

[Cym Ladye]

Actually, wetting a root ball makes it HARDER to separate the roots! Think of it. Water swells the roots and causes them to be tighter together. Allow a Cym to dry out for a couple of weeks before repotting. Makes things much easier as many times, all you have to do is shake the old mix out.

You do not say how large a plant you are dealing with. If it is in a 1 gal pot or larger, simply cut off the bottom 1/3 of the root ball, loosen the roots a bit with a skewer and get into it that way. To pick out the old mix I recommend the 12" skewers you buy at any grocery store for shish-ka-bobs on the BBQ over chopsticks. They are cheaper and easily disposable. The 10 " are too weak.

If you want a detailed procedure for repotting and dividing a Cym. send a request to goldcoastcymgrowers@gmail.com and they will send it to you. No charge and possibly the best and most complete step-by-step procedure available. Adaptable to all areas of the country.

[Paul Mc]

Ah, that makes a lot of sense! Thanks for the information and the email address. It was in about a 7 inch shallow pot, so I would hesitate to say it was a gallon size. After many hours off and on today, I finally got it loosened and repotted. Whew... My hesitation was due to my only other Cymbidium dying shortly after I had repotted it because I broke off so many roots and it never recovered.