Cymbidium orchids are treasured for their graceful sprays of delicate blooms that last for months. To keep your cymbidium thriving and flowering, periodic repotting is essential. Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully repot your cymbidium orchid.
When to Repot Cymbidiums
The optimal time to repot a cymbidium is in the spring, right after it finishes flowering. This allows the plant time to recover before the next flowering cycle begins. Some growers prefer repotting in early fall instead. Avoid repotting during very hot or very cold weather.
Plan on repotting mature cymbidiums every 2-3 years. Younger plants may need repotting annually as their root systems expand rapidly. Repotting too frequently risks shocking the plant.
Tools and Supplies for Repotting
Before starting. gather the necessary supplies
- Sharp, sterile pruning shears or knife
- A container of appropriate size
- Fresh orchid potting mix
- Clean pots and labels
Be sure to scrub pots and sterilize tools with diluted bleach to prevent disease transmission.
Step 1: Remove the Plant from the Pot
Start by removing the cymbidium from its pot. Gently loosen the roots from the edges of the pot. For plants that are root-bound you may need to cut or break the pot to remove the orchid.
Use your fingers to gently remove as much of the old potting media as possible. Removing all the old mix allows you to inspect the root system.
Step 2: Assess and Trim the Roots
Examine the cymbidium’s root system. Healthy roots are plump and white. Trim away any dead, brown, mushy roots with a sterile cutting tool to prevent rot from spreading.
Also remove any old backbulbs that are shriveled or lack leaves. Backbulbs may harbor disease.
Step 3: Divide Overgrown Plants
If the cymbidium has outgrown its pot, you will need to divide it into smaller sections. Divisions should have 3-5 pseudobulbs each.
Use a sterile knife to slice between bulb growths. Dividing cymbidiums may induce a rest period, delaying flowering temporarily.
Step 4: Select a Pot
Choose a pot that allows for 2 years of growth. Cymbidiums prefer being slightly root-bound but need adequate room for new bulb growth.
Pots must have drainage holes to prevent soggy mix that can rot roots. Slotted pots provide maximum aeration.
Use orchid pots or plastic pots. Avoid metal or glazed ceramic pots that retain moisture.
Step 5: Add New Potting Mix
Place a layer of potting mix in the bottom of the pot. Position the cymbidium so the newest pseudobulbs sit just below the pot’s rim.
Add more fresh orchid mix around the roots, pressing gently to fill air pockets. Leave at least 1/2 inch from the mix surface to the pot rim.
Top-dress with a slow-release fertilizer to provide nutrients.
Step 6: Water and Establish the Repotted Plant
Water the repotted cymbidium well to settle the media. Then allow it to dry slightly between waterings while roots re-establish, usually for 2-3 weeks.
Keep the plant shaded during recovery. Once regrown, gradually acclimate it to higher light levels.
Delay fertilizing with high nitrogen foods for 2 months after repotting. Resume regular fertilizing schedules afterwards.
Tips for Repotting Cymbidiums
-
Repotting just before new root growth emerges reduces stress on the plant.
-
Keep the plant shaded and humidity high while it re-establishes after repotting.
-
Smaller divisions may not flower in the first year after dividing. Larger sections flower more quickly.
-
Boost moisture retention by adding medium orchid bark and sphagnum moss to the potting mix.
With the proper timing, technique, and aftercare, repotted cymbidium orchids should reward you with vigorous growth and abundant blooms for years to come.
Blog Network: Martha’s Circle
It’s finally feeling like autumn here in the Northeast with temperatures expected in the mid-50s all this week. My grounds crew is busy putting all of the tropical plants back into the heated greenhouses, where they will stay through the winter. Ryan McCallister, my head gardener, is also busy repotting many of my valuable plants that are in pots. This includes my growing collection of cymbidium orchids.
Cymbidium, or boat orchid, is a genus of more than 50-evergreen species in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Cymbidium orchids are prized for their long-lasting sprays of flowers, used especially as cut flowers or spring corsages. I recently decided it was time to divide and repot my cymbidiums. This is something that should be done every two to three years, or whenever the plant gets too crowded in its pot or the medium stops draining properly.
Here are some photos – enjoy.
Complete Cymbidium Orchid Repotting. step by step guide
FAQ
When should I repot my cymbidium orchids?
What is the best potting mix for cymbidium orchids?
Do you bury air roots when repotting orchids?
How do you repot a Cymbidium orchid?
You can repot in a specialist cymbidium orchid mix or make your own try a 50 % pine bark and 50 % coir peat mix. The potting mix that is best will depend on your climate and watering regime. Use a pot that will provide a restricted root run, cymbidiums grow better with a confined root system. Do not fertilise for about 2 months after dividing.
How often should you repot a Cymbidium orchid?
Repot your cymbidium orchid every two or three years. Orchids prefer a crowded pot, so you do not need to transplant an orchid just because it has expanded to fit its pot. However, if the orchid is sending shoots dangling over the edge of the pot, it may be time to repot.
How do you repot a Cymbidium plant?
Most healthy cymbidiums can handle losing about a third of their roots during repotting without a problem. Separate the pseudobulbs into natural clumps. Look for natural groupings of at least 3 to 4 pseudobulbs on your plant. On some plants, the natural line of division will be obvious.