cymbidium repotting - Orchid Board

oscar freak · #1 06-30-2014, 05:48 AM

i recently aquired 3 cymbidiums,2 are in flower(bud) 1 is'nt.the plants seem to be planted in garden soil with some added bark bits.the 2 in flower i can do nothing with yet but can i repot the one not in bloom bearing in mind its winter here in sunny south africa.

WhiteRabbit · #2 06-30-2014, 07:36 PM

Have fun!

Cyms aren't horribly fussy about their potting media. You could probably wait until spring/summer/new growth to repot...

james mickelso · #3 07-01-2014, 01:49 AM

I would wait, as Sonya said, for the new growth to emerge and get a bunch of inches tall. When the new growth produces roots, then I would repot.

oscar freak · #4 07-01-2014, 03:10 AM

oh ok,just over zealous on my part,i''l wait a bit then.i bought a bag of orchid mix which just seems to be bark chips of different sizes,is this ok?

Cym Ladye · #5 07-01-2014, 11:40 AM

Oscar, if you send a request to goldcoastcymgrowers@gmail.com a branch of the Cymbidium Society of America (CSA), they will send you an excellent publication on Dividing and Repotting your Cymbidium. Many of the OB members have sent for it and the feedback is that it has saved them not only time but serious grief! It takes you step by step through the process, gives you recommended types of media and answers just about any question that may come up.

oscar freak · #6 07-02-2014, 02:48 AM

Thanks,will mail them right now

oscar freak · #7 07-03-2014, 05:43 AM

got some great info from them this morning,glad i didnt just start potting,lots of food for thought.they say that the water for watering should be as pure as possible because they detest "salty" water.so should i be collecting rainwater(which isnt always pure),or boiling the water first?i'v been using fish tank water thinking i was doing a good thing but i use ph changing additives in my fishtanks.a bit more confused now

james mickelso · #8 07-03-2014, 12:28 PM

What is the pH of your tap water and how much total dissolved solids does it carry? Get both from your water provider. Or find a source for reverse osmosis water. The water machines in from of stores can supply it for pennys. The water here contains about 350 ppm TDS and it grows nice cyms. The tips of the leaves brown a bit but the flowers come every Fall. Orchids are hearty. If you can't easily provide perfect conditions for them, they will survive and flower well under less than perfect conditions. Remember that there are those who grow orchids, and many other plant growers, who are somewhat anal about it and convey what they do. Yes they do grow beautiful plants but beautiful plants don't always need perfect conditions. Just do the best you can and enjoy growing them.

oscar freak · #9 07-04-2014, 03:22 AM

i'v heard the water in joburg being referred to as liquid rock with an out the tap ph of 8+,hence i change the ph for my fish.iv been tinkering with the idea of getting an ro machine for my tank so now i have 2 reasons.will have to save a bit for the ro unit so will carry on as i have now and see how it works out.

Cym Ladye · #10 07-04-2014, 03:49 PM

See if you can get a real readout from your water supplier. Most municipalities have those stats and are willing to send them to their customers. I do not know if that is the case in your part of the world, but do not depend on "they say statistics". Yes, 8+ is too high.

When the CSA info states "pure" water, that does not mean distilled or necessarily rain water. Just keep the dissolved salts within the recommended levels.