Cymbidium Growing Medium

[denvervet]

I am having trouble with my unidentified Cym. I believe it may be due to the growing medium. It consists are large bark, charcoal and a very little sphagnum moss.

Can those who have luck with them tell me what they use for growing medium? I live in a VERY dry climate and I mist every morning, it sits on a humidity tray, water 2X a week and its dried out each time I water it. It gets lots of sun. Its the only Orchid I have (knock wood) which isn't thriving. I may lose it they way its going.

[Cym Ladye]

There are as many different preferences for growing media for Cyms as there are different growers growing them. For your hot summer, dry and low humidity environment you will need a media which will drain excess water easily but hold moisture more than the large bark mix you are currently using.

I would suggest you Google or search other posts on this forum for Coir, Coco Chips and the more moisture retentive abilities of fine bark.... all used with Perlite or a larger form of that called Sponge Roc.

Good Luck,

Cym Ladye

[WhiteRabbit]

It can be quite dry here in summer, tho I expect not quite as dry as your climate - but, I use a combination of medium and fine fir bark, add a fair amount of perlite, and some styro pnuts. Use plastic pots for less evaporation.

Coconut husk chips would probably be good (add some perlite) - I've just recently potted a few small cyms in chc.

You can also use a combination of bark and chc - chc tends to cost a bit more than bark - not a big deal for smaller plants, or if only have a very few cyms - I previously used bark for cyms because I could get it locally, and was buying chc online - the shipping adds a good deal to the cost - but then it was suggested I check hydroponics supply stores, and I did find some there - still cost a bit more than bark, but without the shipping cost, it was a fair amount less than buying online.

How big is the plant and your pot? When repotting use a pot that allows for 2-3 years growth. If it is still in the pot it came in, it's possible the root growth has displaced media, and there may not be too much media left in the pot ? Cyms can really grow masses of long, fat roots.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[denvervet]

Cym Ladye and White Rabbit; thank you so much. I had a feeling it was not staying wet enough. I was buying my growing medium at Lowes but they closed thier store here in Denver, the other one is too far away. I may have to bite the bullet and drive far to get the proper growing medium. I have had nothing but problems with this Orchid since it was given to me by a neighbor........bugs galore, the growing medium was rotted and drew black bugs, NEVER thought I would get rid of them but finally did. Its going downhill, droopy, etc. It gets lots of sun and we have sun every day here. I appreciate your help immensly! Thanks again.

[WhiteRabbit]

good luck! Cyms are quite tough - tough in the good way, not as in "tough to grow" - and can rebound from quite a bit

If the media it's in is fresh medium bark, that will dry quickly for the first month or two. Don't be afraid to soak it, just don't leave it constantly or frequently sitting in water for long periods. After the first couple of months, water retention will be longer.

[denvervet]

Well, we drove to Tim Buck Two today and got small growing medium with perlite and maybe a hint of dirt in it. I am going to pull this thing, check the roots and see whats going on. I cannot believe the city of Denver cannot support a Lowes..we had to drive a ways to find one. Denver closed theirs down last Fall!

[Cym Ladye]

I would recommend an actual garden store as opposed to a Loewes. Surely Denver has one or more of those? Try Welcome to Paulino Gardens | Denver, Colorado They are located on Broadway and appear to carry coir, CHC, bark, and several grades of Perlite. Check under the Hydroponic section on their website. It is truly amazing what the internet can show you if you just let your fingers do the searching!

Orchid potting media is more a specialty item in areas like yours and Lowes tends to cater to the average gardener. Google 'Garden Supply in Denver, CO' and see what you come up with.

CL

[denvervet]

Paulino's is extremely expensive. I bought my stuff at Lowes and made my own mixture. I had bought some growing medium for Phals once on line and by the time shipping kicked in it cost 20 bucks to pot one phal. Never again. I ended up dividing this Cym in half and made two pots. I used a finer bark, perlite and some sphagum moss along with clay balls and charcoal. I put them outside and will gradually give them more and more sun. Actually the best place in denver to get growing medium is the Denver Orchid Society but due to my broken leg I have not been able to attend meetings. Can't wait until I go again, great club. Denver is a funny city, I find we dont have things available that an eastern or western city would have all the time, its still kind of "cowpokey".....

[Cym Ladye]

denvervet,

I do not think it is matter of being 'cowpokey' but rather the simple fact that most stores stock what there is a demand for. Denver is not known for being a hot bed of casual orchid growers, although I know there are avid hobbyists alive and well in the Denver OS. Think Mass Market here and the climate in your area virtually forces most orchid growers into greenhouse growing of warmer genera for satisfactory results.

Cyms virtually can grow wild in many temperate parts of Coastal California. I have known growers from San Francisco to south of Santa Barbara who have planted out Cyms in raised beds in their yards with great success.

Our club in Nor Cal uses a Repotting Procedure that was published in the Cymbidium Society of America Journal two years ago for our annual 'Hands-on Potting Workshop'. As the author, I would be glad to send you a copy if you will email me privately with your email address. I have sent it to several other OF members who have asked me for it. Just adjust your it a bit for your temperatures and humidity but the actual step by step procedures would be the same.

The Denver OS is a great source for you. Hope you can get back to their meetings soon.



CL

[denvervet]

Thank you very much for the offer, I have emailed you my email address. I really appreciate it!