Tis the season for Cymbidium queries

[exasperatus2002]

OK...So I got this Cymbidium off of craigs list. Heres the close ups of the orchid. After watering it, I tried to pull/twist the stakes out and couldnt. They felt like they're cemented in there. Im guessing Theres alot of roots in this pot. I did notice a new growth started. When should I repot this orchid and how big of a pot would I need to accommendate the 2 yrs growth others have recommended when potting Cym's? Ive never had one before and dont know anything about its growth rate. Also, as far as I can tell, it's potted in soil. What would the ideal potting mix be? Im keeping it in an east window. My Cattleya's take up my south window.

[exasperatus2002]

Anybody?

[Hummer344]

Now would be a good time to repot the cym. They do like to be root bound and, after taking it out of the pot, cleaning all the old potting stuff out of it, cutting off dead roots, it might just fit into the same pot.(althought you may have to break the pot to get it out) If not, you could do a couple of things: 1. divide it so that the main part fits back into the old pot, or 2. Use the next pot size up. If you divide it each division should have at least 3 back bulbs) It looks as though there is some bark chips at the top of the mix. The soil you refer to might be caused by the break down of the chips. I pot mine in a medium bark mix, along with perlite & charcole. LIGHT: East window light is not enough for cyms. They like high light. During the summer mine get good, direct, morning sun (until nine or so) then high filtered light most of the rest of the day. See my post of 3-31 in the Orchid Care Cultivation section for pictures of the repotting of a cym.
Hope that helps.

[exasperatus2002]

Thanks Hummer

[hulaorchid]

I had to take a knife to mine to get them out of their pots. I was dividing also. If you water it well and lay it on it's side and push alittle moving the pot around this also worked in getting it out of the pot. Ditto what Hummer said, they like to be root bound to bloom. So a pot one size up if not divide should be good, good enough for one season of new growth. Hope this helps!

[PhalPal]

I never divide mine, but when repotting I put them in a pot where I have about 1" all the way around the root ball that remains after cleaning it up. A hose on 'stream' works well to help you get rid of old media. Don't be gentle; it can take it!

Cyms will grow in anything well draining. I use coco husks but bark is fine too.

An east facing window inside will not be good enough. Cyms like lots of light, much more than Catts. I have Cyms outside that get up to 8,000fc of light most of the year. They also want lots of fresh, moving air. I would put him outside for summer and then rethink the east window when it gets cold. Keep him out in fall for several weeks to set spikes; mine get temps down to the low 30's several nights a year. (no frost!)