Cym goes into S/H

[LouisW]

I know that Cyms are supposed to be root bound but today I decided to repot this guy. I was hesitant to repot it because the root mass was like a solid brick. The best tool I found for the jobs is a hammer. I gently pound the root ball with the hammer, not hard enough to break healthy roots, but firm enough to separate all the roots from each other. I did loose a few new roots but not too many. This technique worked really well because all media came out and i was able to position the roots how I wanted. This will be my first Cym in S/H, but I know that Jay has some really nice ones. Thanks for looking and wish me luck!

Here are a few pics:
Pic 1: The overgrown, scruffy plant in its little pot along side its new home.
Pic 2: The hammered root ball, and the prepared pot.
Pic 3: Close up of the S/H pot job.
Pic 4: Its a new plant! All trimmed up and ready for the new season.

[jay]

Good luck. I am sure you will do fine. Let us know if you have any questions.

[BluOrchid]

GOOD LUCK! I will be doing the same thing with my cymbidiums. Keep us updated.

[Plucky Purcell]

Looks good from my house! The few plants I have in S/H seem to really be liking it.

[Ron]

I know that Cyms are supposed to be root bound

This is a bit out of wack, in realty they actually like to be potted on into a bigger pot.
The idea is that the plant develops a good root system so as to fill the pot and when they are fully extablished the plant can get onto doing its job.
To grow new bulbs and then flower.

This "Root bound" idea comes about by people growing them poorly and when the pot is full of poorly grown bulbs, which most likely have not flowered for a couple of years.
Then in desperation to fore fill its job, flowers!
Cheerio
Ron

[LouisW]

That makes good sense Ron. I usauly try to think of plant care in terms of what their conditions are like in the wild, and I coulnt figure out why Cyms would have to be root bound. I dont believe in forcing things to bloom because its just not necessary and its poor culture.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Nearly all my plants are in S/H but I never had a container big enough for the Cym. until now. With all the new root tips, that pot should be full in no time. Oddly it boomed twice in the last year, one was forced by the grower I imagine and the second time was during its natural bloom time for me. Each time it produced two spikes so next time it blooms it may have four.

[Ron]

Each time it produced two spikes so next time it blooms it may have four.

Hi LouisW.
If Cymbidiums are well grown and depending on the breeding. they can and often do produce 2 flower spikes per mature bulb. Not uncommon to have 3 per bulb.
A 10 inch pot nearly full of bulbs should be capable of producing upto 10 flower spikes.
Most only flower of the new seasons bulb but some can do off last years too.
Again it depends on the breeding.

Best of luck
Ron

[Bolero]

I pot mine into a bigger pot, I don't let them get root bound like I do with Cattleya's. I usually allow room for two years growth.

It will be interesting to see how your plant progresses in its new potting mix.

[LouisW]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hi LouisW.
A 10 inch pot nearly full of bulbs should be capable of producing upto 10 flower spikes.
-Ron

Man! Thems some high hopes! Im sure it will do much better now that its in S/H, should get larger plumper bulbs if I do it right, them we will see about three spikes per bulb. That would be outstanding!

One thing thats cool about this is that I can see exactly how im doing. the clear pot allows me to see root growth. Its very satisfying.

[jay]

LouisW - seeing the roots go crazy is one of the things I love about S/H as well.

With the 3 spikes per bulb, keep in mind that the media/watering is just one aspect to get a plant to flower that much. Temperature, light, humidity, and age of the plant will also play large rolls as to how many spikes/flowers a plant will have in any given season.

[hulaorchid]

Good luck! I will be waiting for an update!

[bemarine]

What are those round balls you potted them in? Interesting.