How to re-pot a Cymbidium?!

[Sandra75]

I had to do a emergency re-potting due to some sign of rotting ....

I had to cut 2 bulbs right on the top due to some rot (I think middle of bulb was black, so took it off)

Most roots were ok, middle ones inside were more on the mushy side so I trimmed those off.

Now part of putting it back in the pot with new mix How frustrating. I didn't know how to put it in properly with the mix. I didnt know how to fill out the middle of all the roots with mix. I just put some i the middle then put Cymbidium in pot and filled out all the sides.

How you guys do it? to put mix everywhere, under the plant everywhere where the roots are?

[RosieC]

It really can be difficult. I generally just try to keep shaking and tapping the pot to make it settle in and through. Sometimes I've attempted to hold the plant upside down, put mix in the middle of the roots, then lower the pot over it, then turn the whole lot the right way up. Not overly successful though and needs two people.

[Sandra75]

That's what I did too!! Tapped around the pot went side ways with it. The roots were like a mop, so was hard to put some mix inside hand have root wrap it up.

I hope my Cymbidium will survive. I had to cut off the whole half top huge bulb due some some black rot inside. But some cinnamon on the cut bulb,

Let's say my Cym doesnt look great

[Sandra75]

Not sure if I re-potted the Cym too high but this is how it looks now, There's 2 new growths

[Val]

I'm a beginner and I only have one Cymbidium (I tend to specialize in Phalaenopsis). After it finished blooming and started growing 2 new shoots, I knew it was time to repot. So I took it to a nursery and had it repotted by a specialist - and watched carefully the whole process.

Here's how he did it:
First he removed the plant from its old pot by gently squeezing the pot.
Then he removed some pieces of the old potting mix, using the tip of a stack, gently, for about 3 minutes. He didn't insist, and only removed some 10-15% of it.
Then he took a larger pot (17cm vs the old 15cm), placed the plant in the middle and filled the gap with the new mix, tapping the pot from time to time. It was quite easy, since he only put the new mix around the old root ball.
The new mix was slightly damp and pre-soaked with a special fertilizer, formulated to promote root growth (probably some SuperThrive or equivalent as well).
The most important part was the watering advice: not to water at all for 7-10 days, then water slightly for the next 3 weeks - so that the water doesn't get to run through the pot. I guess this was meant to give the roots some time to readjust in the new medium, heal any damage etc. (It might be relevant to know that I had 5 healthy and plump pseudobulbs.)

[Sandra75]

Thank you for your reply.

I watered the Cymb right after re-potting. I thought it would fill out the inside with mix better. I have it now in a shady place to help the root a little.

[Val]

I would keep it dry for a couple of weeks at least. I believe this is the safest bet. You can always pour some water, but you can never take it back And with such plump pseudobulbs, your plant looks like it can afford it.

However, I'm not a specialist, not even an experienced grower. Let's see what the specialists have to say.

[Sandra75]

lol, they are plump bulbs lol, I got splashed with water when I had to cut that bigger bulb lol.

I'll keep it on the dry side, I think its the best way to go ...

Thanks!

[orchids3]

The picture looks OK but mybe you could have the mix a little higher up on the plant - all roots covered. I think you should have trimmed off the roots till they were about 1 1/2 to 2 inces long. If you leave a lot of roots on they rot and you have a pot full of rotten roots. Its best to let the plant grow new roots. Mix should be about 1 inch below the top of the pot. The first reason for leaving it low is watering - water till it comes to the top of the pot then stop. The second reason is that cymbidiums tend to push themselve up out of the pot when they grow and this really makes it hard to get water to a plant when it is about ready to repot again.
There have been other potting discussions in the cym section.

[Sandra75]

is it safe to trim roots to that size? i thought i hat to just trim dead roots out

is it better if i take it out of its pot and do it properly? it was just re-potted yesterday