Gift cymbidium--what do I do now?

[dupree1977]

My Aunt gave me as a gift this orchid which she says is a Cymbidium. It has no id but it looks like one to me, what is left of it, that is. She told me I could have it if I could save it (little did she know that I've never even owned a Cymbidium).

I am not sure whether I should repot it or give it time to re-establish itself. The pot is huge, 10-12 inches.

So I appeal to those of you with more experience, what should I do with this?

[RoyalOrchids]

Yeah, it looks like a Cymbidium, or what is left of one... Looks like you got your hands on it just in time!

It definitely needs repotting. Separate out out the rotten stuff and put the new growth in something that drains better. I'm no expert, but someone should chime in with a good medium.

[stonedragonfarms]

Dupree:

It is a cymbidium...and it appears that it was wayyyy overpotted...
1. Get it out of that pot/mix. Wash the roots off and examine them. I suspect that there are very few viable roots left--any that are brown/deep grey will have to go. Some will advocate cutting them back, I usually just give them a tug and pull off the outer root structure, but leave the "thread" that runs from the pseudobulb down the root intact. I am guessing that nearly all of the existing roots are no longer alive.
2. I am also conjecturing that once you get the plant out of the pot you will find that the majority of the remaining back bulbs will either fall from the clump, or will be in a state of decay/dessication. With sterile shears or a knife remove them. I would aim to have the existing sprout and the bulb that it is growing from(and any live root material should there be any from either) at the end of this step.
3. There are a few different routes you can go form here, but I would put the "plant" at this stage somewhere dry and 70F or so to dry a bit for 48hrs or so. The cuts that you made will callus a bit at this time, and the remaining roots (if any) will stiffen a bit.
4. I would repot the sprouting backbulb into pure sphagnum (remember to soak the sphagnum 12 hours or so before you use it); squeeeze the sphagnum to remove excess moisture, and gently tease it around any remaining roots. Pot your bulb in the smallest pot that will accomodate it (and any roots that it has) I use 3" Anderson Band pots.
5. Bottom heat will aid in the development of roots in cymbidiums, but I do not usually find it necessary...especially if you are starting them out in the spring. Grow your bulb on in Bright (not direct) light, and warm conditions (65F min, 80F max)
6. Make sure that you keep the sphagnum moist, but not wet (inside water 1x a week to start)
7. When you reach the point in time that nights in your area are consistently over 55F, continue on with your growing outside--start your plant out in shade for a week or so (it should get no direct light of any kind), after this, move it to a location that gets morning sun, but no direct sun overhead at the height of the day.
8. I would start a fertilizing routine when you place the plant outside. Cymbidiums are prolific feeders. Initially aim to feed 1x a week, though if you see good growth of foliage, increase feeding. (I feed my plants at every watering in the summer--and I water everyday)
9. If all goes well, you should make up a fat growth this season, but you will, most likely, need another season before you will see bloom.
Let us know how this goes, or if you need anything more specific. Anyone else have additional tips?
Good Growing,
Adam

[dupree1977]

Thank you Adam, this is exactly what I needed. I have never grown Cymbidiums before, so this will be a real learning experience for me. I will keep you posted on the progress of the plant.

Though my Aunt owns a flower shop, she has very little experience with orchids (other than cut and used in arrangements), and there is little interest in rural eastern Ky for orchids anyway, so it just sat in the back room of the shop until she remembered to bring it to me. She told me the original plant came like this "off the truck" (except in much better health originally).
Thanks again,
Jeff

[Don Perusse]

Adam covered it thoroughly I would say. Good luck. Hope it survives as Cyms are really a nice flowers. A favorite for many years as corsages.

[Des]

Thats good advice you got there. consider putting the Cymbid into S/H .I grow about 1500 in S/H and they do really well .

[dupree1977]

I ended up with two good backbulbs (with new growth on each) and several healthy roots--and three earthworms. Minus the worms, they are repotted in sphagnum.

Thanks again for the assist, I'll let you know how it goes!

[stonedragonfarms]

Good luck Jeff!