my first cymbidium. I'm stressing out!

6 years ago

I'm not new to orchids but have only grown phals until now. I've only used sphagnum moss and semi water culture before, I just purchased my first cymbidium by mail from a reputable dealer and it came bare root so needs asap rooting. I put it with roots in a plastic bag with damp fir based orchid mix while I sort out what to do with potting. The roots and the rest are in wonderful health. There are no orchid supply places around here so I had to get my orchid mix and a pot from regular nurseries with not much for orchids. The only orchid mix I could find around here was a mix of all sizes of fir bark so I was going to use the small and medium pieces only. I suddenly have several questions about potting it despite tons of stuff I read here and on google. So....

(1) The seller said it was in a 2 inch pot. They accidently sent me a 2 growth instead of NBS as I ordered so he suggests a 5 inch pot. I read that Cymbidiums like a deeper pot because their roots like to grow down. But the only 5 inch pots I am finding are only 5 inches deep. With the psuedobulb 1/4 to 1/3 covered and the roots as they are growing (straight down) the roots will nearly touch the bottom of the pot. I read that if cymbidium roots are touching the pots bottom it will hamper growth as cymbidiums don't like that. I do have a 6 inch pot that is 6 3/4 inches deep but I worry that the bark might stay too wet with such a big pot. Or don't I need to worry about that with bark for a medium? According to some sources I have read these orchids need a 3 to 4 inch increase in pot size with repots to make room for new growth. I am more comfortable with the added root room in the 6 inch pots but am wondering if the 6 inch pot would cause the bark to stay too wet. Any thoughts or opinions?

(2) The 5 inch pot has a 1/2 inch hole in the bottom. The 6 inch pot has six 1 inch by 1/2 inch holes around the very bottom of the side of the pot and therefore none on actual bottom. Two questions: How do I keep the orchid bark from blocking the hole on whatever pot I end up using (The medium sized pieces are about 3/4 inches across)? Also what could I do to keep the charcoal, perlite, and smaller fir pieces from falling out the holes?

Sorry this is so long.

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Comments (4)

arthurm2015
6 years ago
You did not say where you are in world... here are some notes written for south eastern Australia.Cymbidium Notes
Blessingsmom Oneonefive thanked arthurm2015
Blessingsmom Oneonefive
Original Author
6 years ago
Sorry. I tried to get my zone with my name but it didn't work. I am zone 9b in california USA I'll be growing the Cym. outside most of the year on a brightly lit porch with just an hour or so of early morning sun. The sun would be too intense here for it to survive in the sun most of the day here Even succulents get burned here if in sun. It would come indoors in the late fall until early to late spring. There is a roof on the porch so it will not be getting rained on. No walls on porch so light is very bright all day.
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arthurm2015
6 years ago
Sounds good! Here they are garden plants. They are cool tolerant down to about 2C.

Santa Barbara is Cymbidium heaven. Only need protection in Winter if you are long way from the coast and get frosts.
Blessingsmom Oneonefive
Original Author
6 years ago
I am a ways from the coast and we get occasional frosts and sometimes a bit below freezing. I end up covering my more tender outdoor plants a few nights a year. The daytimes are always nice, at least in the high 50s to mid 60s F. Often warmer.

my first cymbidium. I'm stressing out!

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arthurm2015

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my first cymbidium. I'm stressing out!

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