They can be grown in containers outside during the spring, summer, and fall and moved inside at the first threat of frost. To divide a cymbidium, you need to inspect its health and pick an appropriate spot to divide it. Every grower has a different formula for growing cymbidium orchids. You can then place the pot into the ground. Log In Sign Up. Dividing & Repotting Your Cymbidium. % of people told us that this article helped them. Dividing orchids can be a scary thing, especially for orchid beginners. Cymbidium orchids are spectacular plants that flower in late winter and early spring. In order to mimic their preferred growing conditions, orchids should be potted in a specialist orchid compost or a mix of moss, bark chips and perlite. Dividing your orchids. Otherwise, pick a pot that is just slightly larger than the previous one. Sometimes it’s even necessary to break the pot in order to free the orchid. Though, there is one thing they can all agree on – you must divide and repot. Ideally, orchids should be repotted immediately after flowering. Caring For Orchids Cattleya Cymbidium Dendrobium Miltonia Odontoglossum / Oncidium Paphiopedilum Phalaenopsis Vanda Basic Repotting and Dividing Basic Repotting and Dividing Most orchids need to be repotted once every two years. It can take several years for this many pseudobulbs to develop. Monopodial orchids grow in height with each new leaf (like a palm tree); sympodial orchids spread horizontally from rhizomes (like bearded iris). The Best Time to Divide Orchids. Press J to jump to the feed. With proper division and care, you will have another fine specimen to enjoy. Cymbidium Orchids will need repotting. Repot every few years and they’ll give you more blooms. 1. Indoor Plants Plant Care Orchids All Plants Cymbidium Orchids Care Plants Flower Garden Houseplants. Disinfect the orchid bark mix with diluted Physan 20, prior to use. Divide the clump by cutting the rhizome with clippers. If a plant must be divided, try and divide the plant into pieces consisting of at least 3 or 4 bulbs. INTRO. The beautiful cattleya orchid loves a position with good, filtered sunlight or semi-shade, such as in the bough of a tree. Don't repot orchids unless you really need to. Jane shows us what to do if you have an old cymbidium orchid that is exploding out of its pot! How to re-pot your Cymbidium Orchid: Remove the plant from the pot. When repotting orchids, it is important to identify their pattern of growth. Like a gardener’s rule, orchids transplant must be at least every … By using our site, you agree to our. Let the sterile tool cool down before using it on the plant. This article has been viewed 8,477 times. Cymbidiums grow by means of a bulbous structure called a pseudo bulb which in essence acts as a storage mechanism for water and nutrients. Cymbidium orchids are beautiful, hardy, and easy to care for although there comes a time when they need to be divided & repotted. One reason they are so great is that can be easily propagated through division. Plus, their long, thin leaves also add an attractive touch to the plant. When pulling the plant out of its pot or the ground, hold onto the large mass of leaves near the base. Dip the plant in Rootone (Rooting Hormone) or Dip~n Grow to help stimulate new root growth. Also be aware of attack from thrips or red spider. Ryan also uses this time to divide the cymbidiums into separate pots. Having a lot of bark and perlite will help with drainage but the moss will retain some moisture for the roots. Dividing orchids is an easy way to propagate them. Usually the best time to re-pot and divide orchids is after the flower starts to finish and it looks daggy. Repotting Cymbidium Orchids. How to repot Step 1) Soak the pot containing the orchid in water for several hours, then gently pull out the orchid. If you’re like most people you are probably wondering if it’s the right time to divide your Orchid. Dividing & Repotting Your Cymbidium. When you're growing orchids, it’s important to repot them now and then. To divide a cymbidium, you need to inspect its health and pick an appropriate spot to divide it. Positioning sympodial orchids such as Cattleyas can be a challenge. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The same pot may be re-used after the existing decomposed orchid bark has been discarded. Place the stakes in a position that will not impede the development of the new growth. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Divide and repot Cymbidiums every second to third year, in the spring after flowering has completed. In this guide, you’ll read about how to provide the correct lighting, humidity, watering, and fertilizer for your orchid. Choose a pot that is 2 sizes larger than the pot your orchid is currently in, such as a 8 in (20 cm) diameter pot if your orchid … Sterilize the cutting tools with Physan 20 or flame the tool with a blowtorch. The live roots located inside the container are preserved. The new plants are set on a shelf in the greenhouse. If it looks to be healthy and well contained in its current pot, put off repotting for another year. For brilliant results with your Cymbidiums: Repot with Searles Cymbidium & … Remove your cymbdium from its container and loosen any soil around the outside of the plant. Ryan places the plant in the pot to ensure it is the right size – only go up one size when repotting as cymbidiums bloom best when a little pot bound. If it's divided up any smaller it will take longer to flower. Dividing your orchids. Images: How to Divide orchids spring 2006 page 14. Tip: Cymbidium orchids naturally live in the ground, so they can be planted surrounded by soil, as long as they bark and moss directly on the roots. This visual guide describes how to repot a monopodial orchid. This shelf gets early morning sun and shade in the afternoon, the light conditions in which cymbidiums do well. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Ryan also uses this time to divide the cymbidiums into separate pots. How to Split Orchids. are much more cold-tolerant than many common species of orchids.They feature sprays of large blooms in the dead of winter on flower spikes that can last for around one to three months. Cymbidium orchids (Cymbidium spp.) Being overzealous with orchid repotting can throw off the plant's growing cycle. Dividing and Repotting Cymbidium Orchid I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. For blooming size plants, a minimum of 3 to 5 bulbs per division should be kept. Choose the Right time to transplant. Place your orchid into the new pot and add fresh potting medium, tapping the pot firmly on a table or other flat surface to distribute the bark or moss evenly around the roots. Use bamboo stakes for support. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The live roots situated outside the pot should be either cut back (Cattleya and sympodial orchids) or retained (Phalaenopsis and monopodial orchids). Cymbidiums will quickly outgrow the pots they've been supplied in. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Remember, sympodial orchids need space in front of the bulbs. However, there are a few other reasons that may come up in the meantime that require repotting earlier or more frequently. References. Cymbidiums will quickly outgrow the pots they've been supplied in. October/November is an ideal time. Images: Winter Mag 2017 cover and ‘How to Grow’ 20/5/15. The bark or moss that the orchids are grown in gradually deteriorates. Most orchids grown as houseplants are epiphytes in the wild, which means that they naturally grow attached to a tree branch, with their roots clinging to the bark. Remove the clump of plants from the pot and look for healthy bulbs - they will have green leaves growing from them. After about a month, new roots will appears on the plant. How to: Repot Cymbidiums. Cymbidiums are universally the hardiest and most rewarding orchids. It is usually best not to water the plant for the next 7 to 10 days. Cymbidium Orchids will need repotting. Repotting your orchid once every 2 years or whenever the roots are the same size as the pot is ideal. Step 2: Remove the orchid … This shelf gets early morning sun and shade in the afternoon, the light conditions in which cymbidiums do well. Fungicide all orchids every 4-6 weeks with Searles Mancozeb. However, repotting is stressful for plants, so it’s also important that you only do this when it is absolutely necessary and … If you repot at other times of the year you may damage the new emerging flowering buds (shown on the left hand side of the photo) and leaves (shown on the right hand side). To prevent the transmission of bacterial and viral infections, sterilize the tools prior to use. Repotting Cymbidium Orchids. Growing Orchids House Plants Planting Flowers Big Garden Plants Cymbidium Orchids Care Plant Care Flowers All Plants. If repotting is not done, the bark or moss become decomposed and packed. It is best not to divide a Cymbidium as dividing causes the plant considerable stress because, when dividing, the potting soil must be disturbed and this generally damages the roots. If you’ve just acquired a Cymbidium or are thinking about adding one to your orchid collection, then you’re at the right place. Oct 5, 2020 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. Once the pot is full of potting material, give it a soak with water. However, ties should not be affixed too tightly, otherwise they will damage the plant as it grows. Nov 26, 2016 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. If your plant has pseudobulbs that are dying or turning brown and the pot you’re using seems crowded, it’s likely time to divide your cymbidium orchid. Because ventilation around the bottom of the pot is vital to the plant~s well being. Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium and Vanda should be grown in Medium Orchid Bark Mix. Once the plant it developing new pseudobulbs, you can be pretty sure that it is doing well. Splitting an orchid into two or more parts is a propagation method that also sparks healthy new growth. Take a knife or another strong tool and use it to lever between the bulbs (pictured). If your orchid has roots growing out of the bottom of the pot, you can cut them off to get the pot off the plant. Stakes are essential for sympodial orchids such as Cattleyas. Posted by 1 year ago. Then you can take the plant apart and repot each new piece. SERIES 31 | Episode 32. Healthy roots are firm and creamy white. Step 4) Pack orchid potting mix around the roots. Cymbidium orchids are spectacular plants that flower in late winter and early spring. I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. Tip: If some of the roots get broken off at this point, don’t fret. Once you have in your hands a specimen sized orchid, sooner or later, you will need to divide it. Step 2) Carefully loosen the roots, then remove the growing medium from the root ball. Cymbidium orchids are by far the most popular orchids to be grown in Australia and in cooler climates around the world. Sterilize the cutting tools with Physan 20 or flame the tool with a blowtorch. 54. The bark or moss that the orchids are grown in gradually deteriorates. Hey Pete, not sure what the below images are but if they seem fitting, please feel free to include them. Cymbidium, or boat orchid, is a genus of more than 50-evergreen species in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Once the existing container is full of roots, and the pseudobulbs (food storage organs) are packed together, it’s a good idea to pot them on into a larger container and give them a fresh zest for life. However, the used pot must be disinfected with Physan 20. Most healthy cymbidiums can handle losing about a third of their roots during repotting without a problem. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Feb 6, 2019 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. Your Orchid Has Outgrown Its Pot . Hold on to the plant firmly, while packing the orchid bark mix into the pot. Orchids like some rough treatment. Once you have in your hands a specimen sized orchid, sooner or later, you will need to divide it. This one put up a fight! Learn more... Cymbidium orchids are wonderful plants to grow and enjoy. While repotting these plants, I took the opportunity to divide the plants and to see if I could use the back-bulbs to grow new shoots. If you’re like most people you are probably wondering if it’s the right time to divide your Orchid. She said if the… Article by Sugi Naicker. 1-888-4ORCHID (1-888-467-2443) - 9 am-5 pm (Pacific) Mon-Sat. This means you can keep your Cymbidium in its pot from 2 to 3 years before you repot. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Also be aware of attack from thrips or red spider. Feb 8, 2019 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. Positioning the plant in the new container is not a problem for monopodial orchids such as Phalaenopsis. Most orchids need to be repotted once every two years. Cut off all dead roots. If no division is needed, place the plant to be repotted in a pot that is slight larger than the preceding one. Remove the plant from its pot. In other cases, such as if your plant has been in a pot for many years, there will be very little material because the roots will have taken up most of the room. Orchid Care More information I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all … You don't want one new plant to have all the small, weaker pseudobulbs. If you have a plan before you start dividing the plant, you are more likely to be successful with your dividing. A periodic spraying with David Grays Malathion & White Oil spray will act as a deterrent to these pests. Divide and repot Cymbidiums every second to third year, in the spring after flowering has completed. Apr 8, 2018 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. Occasionally, orchids need repotting to refresh their expanding root systems. The Best Time to Divide Orchids. Cymbidium orchids are wonderful plants to grow and enjoy. 54. In this video we are talking about how to divide orchids when repotting. About a month after dividing, feed your new plants with a slow-release plant fertilizer to help it thrive. Archived. The rule of thumb is to make the largest division practical, because the larger plants produce the best and most flowers. Repot the orchid after pruning if it has outgrown its pot. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. It will grow in all parts of Australia and is easy to propagate by division. Be careful not to break off the pseudobulbs by holding on to tightly, but use the greenery to get the plant out. A periodic spraying with David Grays Malathion & White Oil spray will act as a deterrent to these pests. Four (4) steps to dividing and repotting cattleyas. Shake off and remove all of the old bark from the root mass. Phyton 27 is a systemic agent that will protect the plant for the next 90 days. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Repotting your orchid needn't be a daunting task and can help ensure it grows healthily and flowers well. Here I had a Miltonidium Bartley Schwartz. Never leave a division of less than three. Paint the wounded area with Alitte. Orchids are very susceptible to disease as well, so be sure to sterilize everything that will come in contact with your orchid during the repotting process. The best type of pot to use for a cymbidium orchid is a clay pot because water evaporates from clay pots faster. Orchids are plants that produce beautiful and unique flowers. Repotting. Most orchids need to be repotted once every two years. Orchids are very susceptible to disease as well, so be sure to sterilize everything that will come in contact with your orchid during the repotting process. Remove any diseased parts from the plant, if possible. Diseased parts are often soft and dark brown or black in color. Jane shows us what to do if you have an old cymbidium orchid that is exploding out of its pot! Position the plant off-center in such a manner that the new growth will develop towards the center of the pot, and the new roots will probe down into the orchid bark. Close. Repotting or dividing Cymbidium Orchids. how to divide cymbidium orchids. The exact time of year this occurs depends on your location but blooming usually ends and growth starts in spring. Water must not be allowed to stand at the bottom of the pot. Dividing orchids can be a scary thing, especially for orchid beginners. Information is the best tool you can have to keep growing beautiful Cymbidiums year-round. In this video you’ll discover several different signs you need to look for in order to determine if your Cymbidium Orchid needs to be divided. Most experts recommend repotting orchids every one to two years, and that can be a great rule of thumb to follow. While repotting these plants, I took the opportunity to divide the plants and to see if I could use the back-bulbs to grow new shoots. Tip: When planning out which pseudobulbs will be grouped together, try to make sure that each new plant will have some that are really healthy and vigorous. However, a saw with small teeth will cut through the plant more easily and will do less damage to the plant as it cuts.   Cymbidiums can be easily divided during repotting in the spring. It is best not to divide a Cymbidium as dividing causes the plant considerable stress because, when dividing, the potting soil must be disturbed and this generally damages the roots. Return the plant to it normal location and begin to reapply Norman's Optimal Orchid Nutrients as recommended. Uprooting Your Cymbidium Orchid For Division, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Divide-Cymbidium-Orchids-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Divide-Cymbidium-Orchids-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Divide-Cymbidium-Orchids-Step-1.jpg\/aid10834269-v4-728px-Divide-Cymbidium-Orchids-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"