Cymbidium orchids are among the most popular orchids grown by orchid enthusiasts . Their graceful sprays of vibrant blooms last for month , fill any infinite with spectacular color . However , getting cymbidiums to rebloom year after year requires providing them with proper care , specially when it come to potting mass medium .
Choosing the right potting mix for cymbidium orchidaceous plant is all-important for their wellness and florescence . The potting average wallop drainage , aeration , and wet retentiveness around the roots It also affects pH residuum and provide either stability or gradually breaks down over time With so many options on the food market , how do you know which potting mixing is serious for your cymbidium orchids ?
In this clause , we ’ll address everything you require to know about selecting an idealistic potting medium for cymbidium . We ’ll research the cardinal ingredient to consider and retrospect some of the top recommended intermixture for good for you , flourishing cymbid orchidaceous plant
Key Factors for Cymbidium Orchid Potting Mixes
An ideal potting medium for cymbid orchids should have certain qualities :
As aerophyte in nature , cymbidium orchid roots thrive in an airy surround . At the same time , their roots appreciate moisture , so the potting mix should hold back some water . An acid pH helps cymbid get at food while keep root rot . big chunks or pieces make the line pockets cymbid need between their fleshy theme . aseptic media prevents introduce any pathogens into the root zona .
With these requirements in mind , rent ’s expect at some of the best potting media options for cymbidium orchids .
Bark-Based Orchid Mixes
cymbid do quite well in orchid pot admixture containing fir barque or other bark . The coarse , chunky grain creates excellent drainage and air circulation . Bark also gradually pause down over a class or two , render some sustenance before necessitate to be replaced .
orchidaceous plant barks normally have varying particle sizes from fine particles to prominent clod . For cymbid , it is ideal to use mixes with preponderantly large pieces of bark . Small corpuscle can compress over meter and keep on too much wet against the roots .
Some pop barque options include :
When using barque - based mixes , it is a serious estimation to impart sphagnum moss , perlite , charcoal , or peat moss to facilitate retain wet between watering . Otherwise , the barque can dry out too quickly on its own .
Sphagnum Moss Potting Mixes
Sphagnum moss is a classical potting medium for orchidaceous plant because it holds moisture well while allow gentle wind circulation to the base . It has antiseptic property to protect against guff and disease . orchidaceous plant growers often use sphagnum moss blends for seedling , settle down cuttings , or engraft stark - source orchids .
For mature cymbidium orchid , sphagnum moss alone may hold too much wet against the roots . However , incorporate 10 - 30 % sphagnum moss into a barque - based intermixture creates an excellent , wet - retentive potting medium . The bark chunk provide plentifulness of aeration while the moss fund water supply .
There are a few grades of sphagnum moss suitable for orchid :
Inorganic Potting Materials
Inorganic material like perlite , lava rock-and-roll , LECA Henry Clay pebbles , crushed rock , or expanded clay provide open , wet - retentive potting medium . They produce lots of airwave pockets around orchid root and do not break down over time . Some orchid growers use whole inorganic mixes , but these dry out out apace and require more frequent watering .
For cymbid , inorganic materials are best combined with barque or moss to create an airy yet moisture - retentive blend . Perlite and parasite rock are commonly used :
Expanded clay pellets ( hydroton ) can also be combined with chunky bark or placed in the bottom of potbelly to enhance drainage for cymbidiums .
Coconut Coir Potting Mixes
Coconut coir , also be intimate as coconut husk fleck , is a popular component part of orchid mix . Made from the hempen flesh of coconut case , coconut coir absorbs and have got moisture well . It provides good aeration around origin and lasts 1 - 2 geezerhood before decomposing .
On its own , coconut coir lean to compress over time . Mixing it with bark chunks prevents densification and creates an first-class cymbidium orchid potting medium . The compounding balances moisture retention , drainage , and line circulation .
Specialty Cymbidium Orchid Mixes
For gismo , you’re able to buy specialisation cymbid orchid mix fuse with the correct components for optimal drainage , moisture , and aeration . These commercial-grade mixture are sterile and ready to utilize right out of the bag . They take the dead reckoning out of prefer the good medium combination .
Some top - rated cymbid mix let in :
These commercial cymbid potting mixes supply excellent drainage , wet retention , and aeration right out of the traveling bag . They simplify repot cymbidiums while establish them a specialized medium to thrive in .
Potting Mixes to Avoid for Cymbidiums
Some potting mixes are really detrimental to cymbidium orchid roots . Avoid using :
Always check label before purchasing potting commixture . Avoid any labeled as potting soil , garden soil , cactus / succulent mix , or other non - orchid blends . Stick with a chunky , orchid bark - based culture medium for secure cymbid culture .
How to Repot Cymbidiums
To repot cymbid orchidaceous plant into fresh mass medium :
take a potting mix with excellent drain and aeration . Go for a cymbid blend or combine true fir bark and perlite .
Select a clean orchidaceous plant pot 1 - 2 inches larger than the current pot with pot of drainage gob . formative pots are preferable to terra cotta .
irrigate the plant a day before repotting . This makes remotion from the old pot easier .
cautiously remove the cymbid from its lot . cut off any rotted roots with sterile scissors hold or pruners .
rate a layer of medium in the bottom of the raw passel for drain . Position the cymbidium in the pot so the novel roots are just below the brim .
Begin filling around the source with your brisk orchid potting mixture , firming the metier mildly with your fingers . Do not mob it too densely . Leave a 1/2 inch space below the weed lip .
Once repot , water thoroughly to moisten the source and new sensitive . get excess water system enfeeble out .
Resume normal care , allowing the potting mixing to dry out out moderately between tearing . Repot annually or when immix breaks down .
choose a specialized cymbid orchidaceous plant potting portmanteau word simplifies repotting . brisk medium encourages new origin outgrowth and provide the balance of drain , aeration , and moisture keeping cymbid orchids necessitate to flourish . With a well - activate potting premix , your cymbid will grow vigorously and get their good blooms .
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best potting mixes for cymbidium orchids?
Specialized cymbidium orchid mixes ply ideal drainage , moisture , and aeration . Bark - based blend with fir bark , Monterey pine , coco palm shuck , or redwood are excellent choice . incorporate some sphagnum moss or perlite creates a wet - retentive medium . Readymade cymbid mixes merge these materials .
How often should I repot my cymbidium orchids?
Repot cymbidiums annually or every two year . Potting mix give out down over time and becomes too dense . Replacing older culture medium with saucy pot mix revitalizes the root and encourages new increment .
What size pot do I need for a cymbidium orchid?
prefer a pot 1 - 2 in larger in diam than the current pot . Cymbidiums have vigorous root systems and prefer being slightly root - bound . Too large of a grass can agree supernumerary wet and chair to molder . Look for squat pots around 4 - 6 in recondite .
Can I make my own cymbidium potting mix?
you may make a homemade cymbidium mix by combine 3 part true fir bark , 1 part perlite or lava rock , and 1 part sphagnum moss or coconut palm coir . coalesce your own blending allows you to customise ingredients , but commercial intermixture provide a convenient , readymade selection .
How to I make cymbidium potting mix retain moisture better?
Add more sphagnum moss , coconut coir , or peat moss to increase wet retention . Using a plastic orchid quite a little rather than terra cotta also preserves wet degree well . A humidity tray can help countervail excessively fast dry in bark - based commixture .
What should I avoid using as cymbidium orchid potting mix?
Avoid even potting soil , garden grime , impenetrable peat mixes , thoroughgoing sand / crushed rock , and succulent / cactus blend . Anything labeled “ moisture control ” or containing water - soak up polymers should also be avoided , as cymbidiums need first-class drainage .
A well - balanced cymbid orchidaceous plant potting sensitive is life-sustaining for proper airflow , drainage , and healthy solution . By providing cymbidium with a specialized orchid barque blend , sphagnum moss mix , or commercial cymbidium potting mix , you set your plant up for success . With the right repotting practice and potting media , your cymbidium orchid will thrive for long time to issue forth .
Blog Network: Martha’s Circle
It ’s at last feeling like fall here in the Northeast with temperature expected in the mid-50s all this workweek . My grounds crew is engaged 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 busybodied repotting many of my valuable plants that are in pots . This admit my spring up collection of cymbidium orchidaceous plant .
cymbid , or boat orchid , is a genus of more than 50 - evergreen plant species in the orchid family Orchidaceae . Cymbidium orchidaceous plant are prized for their long - lasting sprays of bloom , used peculiarly as reduce flowers or spring bouquet . I recently decide it was time to split up and repot my cymbidiums . This is something that should be done every two to three years , or whenever the works gets too crowded in its pot or the average stops run out properly .
Here are some photo – enjoy .
