Cymbidium help please
 

Hi,
I have a beautiful cymbidium whose flowers are dropping off, just 3 so far. It has been flowering for ages so I understand that.
However, I've just noticed the white stuff that looks like fungus on the roots.
What do I do? Soak and repot? Dry out and repot? There are so many different threads on cymbidiums, I can't work out what do to.
Thanks





Attachment 22365

Attachment 22366

I love to give you an answer but I've never seen a Cym growing the way yours is. Whats it growing in and in what conditions please.

I received it as a gift with no info. It looks as if it's growing in regular soil, so I know I've to get something more suitable. It's growing indoors in Dublin, temps normal indoor temps, about 18c, 66f
Hope that helps as I gotta help my lovely cymbidium

I just think its time for a repot and a bit bigger container. I would use one thats about an inch or so wider and at least 2 inches deeper (cyms like to get they're roots deep). From what we can see the roots look good. It looks pretty damp though. They like even moisture but don't like to be soaking wet. As for the media, your probably right. Just some regular old pro mix in there is what it looks like. Which isnt a bad thing. I know several cym growers who use this exclusivley. Its just in how you manage your watering. If you put it in bark your going to have to water 2 or 3 times a week (that being said I don't know the humidity where you are and how fast it will really dry out) . My cyms are in 2parts pro mix and one part fine bark mix. They seem to do really well in it. When yours is done blooming it knock her out of the pot and give her a new home. She looks really healthy otherwise.

Shelley,

Firstly an answer to the easy question: the flowers are falling off, starting from the bottom and working up, because the the plant is coming to the end of its bloom cycle on that inflorescence. PERFECTLY NORMAL :biggrin:

The second problem is a bit more confusing, :scratchhead: but it appears to me that you may have gotten mold spores into the top of the mix to form the "moldy look" on the roots and top of the media. Temperatures in the range you gave as well as a somewhat humid environment will cause these spores to proliferate. From the photo, it does not appear to be mealy bug, the other alternative for "white stuff" on plants.

I think the easiest solution is to repot the plant into a larger pot and into fresh mix of your choice depending on where you live and your conditions. Cut the root ball to no more than about 3-4' long from base of pseudobulb, remove as much of the old media as possible with a pointed skewer, wash with a hose thoroughly but carefully and allow to dry on a newspaper for 24 hours before potting up. I like to allow about 2" of growing space around the plant when I choose my new container. :goodluck:

CL

A little hesitant to answer as I am not familiar with what you might have available in Ireland. My only real link to Ireland is my blood and having flown over the country several times going a fast we could go. I think you might have a few things common to places I have grown Cymbidiums (I have around 2000). The first similarity is wet weather and humidity - this leaves out dirts and Pro mixes in my opinion. I would use either Fir Bark and Pearlite or Coconut chips and very fine porus gravel. You need to make a mix that drains well but retains moisture. Mixes which retain to much moisture will lead to fungus infections and rot in moist climates. Removing roots especially the dead ones is a must and some shortening of living roots is also a good idea. I would clean the roots of all old potting mix and wash well followed by a good soak in a fungicide. Letting the roots dry for a few days is good idea especially plants which exhibit rot or fungus infection of roots. A lot of plants are sold as "Pot Plants" or throw away plants. The potting media for this type of plant is not intended to last long and most plants should be repotted right after flowering if you intend to keep them