compost as an additive to Cymbidium potting media?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Our city has a municipal composting facility which produces compost, classified per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards as Class A and Exceptional Quality.

There is testing data for the compost available at: https://athensclarkecounty.com/4457/...ial-Composting

I'm considering adding up to 10% by volume of this compost to my media when reporting a Cymbidium. Opinions please - good idea? Or not? And why?

Thanks!

[Helene]

Funny thing, I was reading and just entered "coffee ground and cymbidium" and eggshells and stuff.

Seems like its recommended a bit compost when potting outside- well, atleast leaf and stuff- not sure what the compost should be made of.

The cymbidium doesnt like much fertilizer and never on its bulb, so not sure how much it can take. But I assume it gets what it needs in nature from decomposing plants and stuff.

I have no idea, really, I was just reading about the same thing, and then entered here to find a question about the same.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Helene

......

The cymbidium doesnt like much fertilizer and never on its bulb, so not sure how much it can take. But I assume it gets what it needs in nature from decomposing plants and stuff..

ABSOLUTELY WRONG! I am always astounded by the wrong information put out on the Internet, but when it hits our OB, I have to speak up. The facts are that Cymbidiums are probably the heaviest feeders in the Orchid world! The nutrients are absorbed through the leaves, the bulbs and the roots so to keep any nutrients off the bulbs is incorrect. If this were true, does Mother Nature put up little umbrellas over the bulbs so when it rains in the forest the bulbs stay dry?

That said, the only reasons to put our orchids in pots is to keep them from falling over and to take them to orchid shows. As far as what to pot cyms in, it has to be well draining as well as being able to hold moisture for short periods of time. Most compost will be too heavy and more importantly, may be made from plant material not chemically compatible with orchids in the long run.

I always wonder why people just getting into orchids keep trying to recreate the basic medias before seeing if thousands of successful growers who have already done myriads of experiments to come up with the best and latest are better than anything the new grower can dream up. In other words, learn the basics before going off line.

The bottom line in Cymbidium culture is how to get the maximum number of flowers for the size of the pot and everything comes into play - media, fertilizer, light and water.

[gngrhill]

[QUOTE=Cym Ladye;796819]

That said, the only reasons to put our orchids in pots is to keep them from falling over and to take them to orchid shows.

And for those of us who don't live in California so we can bring them inside in winter.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Hi Helene

Yes, I look forward to hearing more responses!

Regarding eggshells and leaf litter, my last repot of my only Paph hybrid uses mostly mixed pine and broad leaf forest litter with < 5% crushed eggshell n the top half of the pot. Growth has really improved!

[estación seca]

Composted organic matter would be good. A lot of them are epiphytes or leaflitterophytes on the ground, with their roots in thin collections of 100% composted organic matter.

[oscar freak]

let me start by saying I have absolutely no luck with cymbidiums(until recently)in that I seem to water them to death in pots in bark mixtures.i'v started keeping them in mesh baskets and have managed to get them to finally start growing in the right direction.then my boss rocks up to work with his giant of a plant with 11 flower spikes with stalks as think as an inch.its growing in a ceramic pot with a layer of stones at the bottom for drainage on top of that a layer of compost and then the bark mix on top.jealousy is not the word

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by oscar freak

let me start by saying I have absolutely no luck with cymbidiums(until recently)in that I seem to water them to death in pots in bark mixtures.i'v started keeping them in mesh baskets and have managed to get them to finally start growing in the right direction.then my boss rocks up to work with his giant of a plant with 11 flower spikes with stalks as think as an inch.its growing in a ceramic pot with a layer of stones at the bottom for drainage on top of that a layer of compost and then the bark mix on top.jealousy is not the word

He's the boss. Your plant looks great!

[oscar freak]

this is it

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by oscar freak

this is it

It appears your plant has either been growing in the house or in a very shaded location. The "wilting" leaves and dark color say it all. Cyms need 50/50 sun light as well as the natural breezes it would get outside.

You will have far better luck if you leave your Cym outside as l long as you can before hard frost in you area. Then bring it in under grow lights or in a bright window.

As far as compost, it all depends on what is in it. I add a 10-15% redwood compost to a predominately coco chip/Orchiata mix with added large perlite for my Cym. seedlings. It will hold water longer, however.