How to Repot Cymbidium Orchids

Cymbidium orchids bestow gardeners with large waxy blooms, which are some of the longest lasting in the orchid family. Because their spiky petals are extremely heat tolerant, they can grow either outside or next to windowsills. These orchid are available in a whole host of colors, sizes or hybrids. Because they tend to be root bound to their container, special care must be taken to properly repot the orchids to ensure little damage to their sensitive root systems.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Container
• Saucer
• Orchid bark mix
• Perlite
• Bacteriacide
• Fungicide

1. Inspect the health of your orchid. Repot your cymbidium when the pseudobulbs touch the edge of the container or have a fungal disease. Both tobacco mosaic virus and cymbidium mosaic virus commonly infect cymbidium orchids. Look for spots or discoloration on flowers and leaves.
2. Choose a container to repot your orchid that gives its pseudobulbs an inch of space around the pot. Pick out a saucer that fits underneath the pot.
3. Fill your new container with 80 percent orchid bark mix and 20 percent perlite. Tilt the orchid on its side and pull out. Tease the root system to remove old potting soil. Place the orchid in its new pot and pack the soil around the base of the plant.
4. Water with a diluted solution of a bactericide like Physan or Naccosan a day after repotting the plant. In addition, water with a diluted fungicide like Subdue the next day.
5. Water lightly for the first several weeks after potting the plant. Place the plant in a shaded dry area for three weeks before putting it back into the sun.

Tips & Warnings

• The best time to repot is between February and June, because this will give the plant a chance to recover before summer.

• Use sterile gloves when handling an orchid with a fungal disease, to avoid infecting new potting soil.