Cym roots and leaves - Orchid Board

Amanda L · #1 05-06-2011, 07:34 PM

I decided to go ahead and un-pot my cym that is very past due for re-potting. It took a long time and 2 people to get plant free from the pot

. When we got the plant free all I saw was one massive bunch of tangled roots. Some are dead and some are healthy. I have started to untangle the roots, no small task. I have damaged some

. Does anyone have any helpful hints on getting this massive root mess apart. This plant also needs to be divided. I am going to give one of the divisions to a lady at work. Any helpful hints on dividing this up? It is soaking right now, to hopefully help get the roots free of each other.
The good news is I haven't seen one snail. I thought there would be a lot, since I found a few when I brought it home. The cowards didn't have the nerve to show themselves at the store! I did however find something lurking on the underside of the leaves. I am not sure what it is. Any helpful hints on what it is and how to get rid of it?
I need a lot of helpful hints

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kiki-do · #2 05-06-2011, 08:27 PM

Hi Amanda! I'm no expert on cyms. I have one. I have repotted a few orchids, however, and split them with success. You are doing the right thing by soaking it to help loosen the roots so you can gently maneuver them to get all the bark and are able to cut out any mushy or black roots. These plants aren't as fragile as you may think. I always try my best not to do damage to roots, but sometimes it can't be helped. To divide, use a clean sterile sharp knife. You should have "at least" 3 pseudobulbs for each repotting...more is better. I have seen videos on you tube that actually show you how to divide, how to repot, how to care for. I think repotme.com also has videos.
You do have some sort of bug happening there, but I can't quite make it out. I would absolutely clean that up with neem oil or some type of bug spray that is safe for orcids. Now is the perfect time for that. Check the roots, etc.
I'm sure someone else will chime in and be of more help. Good luck!

WhiteRabbit · #3 05-07-2011, 12:40 AM

Soak the root mass a half hour or more - use a chopstick or something similar to poke in the mass, wiggle it around to loosen everything up - I have found the "jet" setting on hose sprayer attachments really helps too - sometimes you have to repeat these steps a few times.

I'm not sure what you have on the foliage there - but like Kiki said some neem oil would probably work - or even rubbing alcohol - with neem, or any product that is oil based, make sure the plant is out of the sun until the product has dried (otherwise you risk "cooking" the plant) if using alcohol, use it out of the wind; if it's quite windy, the wind can speed the already fast evaporation, and can be dehydrating.

I'd probably pot this cym up, rather than dividing, but if it's too big for you, remember, that when it comes to divisions, bigger is better

- bigger plants can get more blooms, not just the fact that they can have more spikes simply because there's more growth, but individual spikes can have more blooms. It's likely to skip a bloom season after dividing.

g/l

Cym Ladye · #4 05-07-2011, 05:33 PM

Hi Amanda,

After successfully growing thousands of Cymbidiums as a hobbyist for over 40 years, and led potting hands-on club workshops for at least 20 of those, I think I can speak from experience.

I am sorry I was not on the site when you first posted but I will attempt to help you out.

1) DO NOT SOAK the plant and if you have, now let it dry after doing one thing first,
2) Take a sterile, serrated old steak knife and cut off 1/3 to 1/2 of the root ball from the bottom and discard.
3) Allow the root ball to air dry in the shade for several days. You will find it much easier to work the remaining mix away from drier roots.
4) Divide the plant leaving 3-5 green bulbs on each division. This is the hardest part to tell where to divide. If you could post a photo of the plant from above with a colored marker in the plant as a starting point, I may be able to give you a better idea of where the split should go.

Additionally, if you contact me personally, I will send you a copy of the re-potting instructions I have used successfully for years, incorporating updates as they have been merited.

Cheers,

CL

Amanda L · #5 05-07-2011, 06:04 PM

Thanks everyone!! I don't have it potted right now. This plant has a few new growths on it. Unfortunately, I broke one yesterday, while holding it trying to pry the roots apart!

.

I will do as you say Cym Ladye and let it dry in the shade for a couple days. I soaked it for over 30 minutes. I have some neem oil spray that I will use on a cotton ball to rub down the leaves. I can't really tell what it is, maybe some kind of mite? I am going to have to divide this plants, I don't have any pots big enough to accommodate as it is now.

Thanks,
Amanda

Amanda L · #6 05-14-2011, 03:24 PM

I have been unable to find a cym mix to re-pot the cym that's sitting in a bucket. I checked out repotme.com's mix, but their shipping is more than the bag I would get. I checked out Lowe's and they don't have anything either. Does anyone know of a place to get a cym mix that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for shipping?
I still need to lop off some of the root mass too. I am being so lazy with this plant it will probably die on me! I will cut the roots today and mist, if misting is recommended.

Cym Ladye · #7 05-15-2011, 01:57 PM

Amanda,

Firstly, get it out of the bucket,

place in on newspaper and cut off the bottom 1/3 of the root ball. Then let it dry ON THE NEWSPAPER another day. The reason behind this is to allow the cuts to air-dry heal, as you would a cut on your finger.

Secondly, check the true garden stores and nurseries, not the "box stores". I suspect they may have a small/fine fir bark suitable for orchids that would work. Do not let them talk you into a pathway grade or redwood. You might also check with a hydroponic store, if there are any in your area, who might carry coconut chips in compressed bales.

Hope this helps.

CL