Cymbidiums in Orchiata advice? - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 06-15-2014, 08:46 AM

I've been slowly transferring all of my orchids over to Orchiata. I purchased one 40 liter bag of the Classic for my finer root orchids, mini's, Paphs and Phrag and more moisture loving orchids such as Bulbo's and seedlings. Additionally, I bought 2 40 liter bags of the Power+ for the general Phals, Catts, Dendrobiums and Oncidiums. After several days, I am nearly done. Whew, lol...

Now I am questioning what to do with my Cymbidiums. My understanding is that they would prefer a more consistently damp environment, so my first thought would be to use the finer Classic. But my second thought would be over time how would that work out, so should I perhaps mix the larger Power+ with some of the Classic?

My goal in repotting everything is to hopefully avoid the necessity of repotting things ever 6 months to 2 years, depending upon what was used and the type of orchid. I don't mind repotting a few here and there, but would like to try for repotting every 4 to 5 years instead. So keeping that in mind, any additives?

cbuchman · #2 06-15-2014, 10:39 AM

I have my Cyms (Chinese and Minis) in Power (?) - larger than classic - Orchiata and they love it. It think that 4-5 years for repotting is a bit optimistic. Maybe 3 years. The bark holds up well, but the timing may depend on your water.

I am in the process of switching everything over to Orchiata. My orchids are loving it.

Paul Mc · #3 06-15-2014, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the information. Yeah, I wondered if it wasn't a tad optimistic for 4 to 5 years and was going to gauge for myself. But it would be nice to increase the time of not repotting from 6months to every two years given media and plant needs, lol...

WhiteRabbit · #4 06-16-2014, 07:36 PM

Cyms don't seem very fussy about media. I pot mine in bark from the hardware store (fine and medium bark chips) and have gone longer than 2 years between repotting at times. But they generally out grow their pots in 2-3 years.

Cym Ladye · #5 06-18-2014, 02:44 PM

The simple truth is it isn't WHAT you use but HOW you treat it.

Many of the local hobbyist growers here in Northern California are changing over to Orchiata. Sounds like hopping on a band wagon to me as we have no proof that it will hold up any longer than the current 3-4 years with bark or Coconut chips. Twenty years ago it was Lava rock; five years ago, it was coco chips and/or ground coir. I have Cyms in both Orchiata and in chips as there are some species which absolutely DO NOT LIKE the coconut chips.

However, if you want to use Orchiata on your Cyms, you can mix Classic and Power on an equal basis or add Power Plus and mix the three in equal proportions. Some growers add about 20% large Perlite to either mix but many do not. Your choice. Orchiata recommends against it.

My rule of thumb is to use the equal mix of Classic/Power for all Cyms in 1 gal pots or larger, and straight Classic for anything smaller. Use Perlite as you wish.

Paul Mc · #6 06-19-2014, 10:03 PM

Again, thanks all for the great information!

Paul Mc · #7 06-21-2014, 09:03 AM

Ok, so I have one more question. One of my Cymbidiums has literally rooted itself hard into the medium. I have soaked and soaked, but it is being relentless and not letting go of the medium or shape of the pot it was in. Any suggestions on how to loosen this up without damaging the roots? I've dealt with some massive root systems not wanting to let go before, but I've been struggling with this one off and on since my original posting, lol...

WhiteRabbit · #8 06-21-2014, 06:34 PM

Use a chopstick or like tool to get in th roots and media; wiggle it around. The "jet" setting on a hose sprayer attachment can be helpful. I wouldn't worry about damaging some roots - I've been following Cym ladye's advice, and cutting off the bottom 1/3 of the root mass, as well as smacking the root mass om the lawn and otherwise being less than delicate, and haven't had any set-backs

Paul Mc · #9 06-21-2014, 06:57 PM

LOL... Good to know! I tried the jet setting on a hose with no luck. I was given this one last year, and based on how it's superglued in I'm guessing it hadn't been repotted in a while. Generally, I am not too concerned if I loose a few, but good to know how she does it! I'll grab the chopsticks tomorrow and give it another whirl.

WhiteRabbit · #10 06-21-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

LOL... Good to know! I tried the jet setting on a hose with no luck. I was given this one last year, and based on how it's superglued in I'm guessing it hadn't been repotted in a while. Generally, I am not too concerned if I loose a few, but good to know how she does it! I'll grab the chopsticks tomorrow and give it another whirl.

Seems to be just that Cyms grow masses of long fat roots that wind round and round - it's usually a big job for me to repot them

I always plan on it taking a while ...

And I can be fairly rough - whacking the pot against a low brick retaining wall to help get the plant out of the pot; being not especially gentle with the chopstick to loosen roots and media, etc ... I think Cyms like the abuse