Question
I inherited 3 cymbidiums from my mom, who lived in San Francisco,
where they flourished.  I live in Bakersfield, but they were doing OK
in the mixed sun/.shade of my deck for about 4 years. Now one
has died and the other two look unhappy. I'd never fed or repotted
them, but have the time now to garden.  It's October; is it OK to
repot now (I've never done it); I'm afraid to leave them as is, lest
they die from overcrowding.  I've neglected them, and want to start
treating them right.
Thanks,
Carol

Answer
Hi Carol,

Sorry for taking time to respond to your request, took a long weekend trip up to Calistoga, Ca. since I had no grandkids to watch on Monday.  (grin)  Had a relaxing time enjoying the hot mineral spa and a massage.  I feel great!  

Cymbidiums are pretty hardy orchids but they do need a little care in order to grow and bloom.  Living in Bakersfield complicates things a little due to your hot summers and cold winters, but it is not impossible.  Here are some suggestions that will hopefully keep the remaining cyms alive and well.  

1. October is not the best time to repot cyms but if they are not doing well, you can repot them now.  The first thing to do would be to gather the supplies you will need.  Cyms do fairly well in fine grade fir bark (do not use landscape bark), look for one made for orchids at a local garden center that sells orchids.  Along with the bark, you may need new pots.  If the growths (called pseudobulbs) fill the pot, you can divide them or put them in the next size larger pot - the choice is yours.

2. Soak the bark in water overnight in a large bucket or tub, scoop out the bark that still floats but not the bark that sinks to the bottom.  Allow the excess water to drain from the bark.  

3. Remove the cyms from their pots, this may require tapping the sides of the pot in order to loosen the roots within.  If it won't come out you may have to cut open the pot.  

4. Once it is out of the pot, remove as much of the old potting mix from the roots by shaking it and prying any pieces stuck to the roots.  

5. If you choose to divide (separate into 2 or more pieces), look for a space between pseudobulbs where there is no rhizome connection between them then pull them apart or use a knife or garden shears to separate them.  When separating the p'bulbs, try to have a minimum of 3 p'bulbs with leaves per division, this will make it easier for the cym to recover and grow.  Do not worry if you end up with a division with fewer p'bulbs, it just will take longer for it to grow to blooming size.  

6. Place about an inch of bark in the bottom of a pot then lower the roots into it.  The bottom of the p'bulbs should be about an inch or more below the pot rim.  Center the division then fill around the roots with bark, tapping and shaking the pot to help settle it around the roots.  When the pot is full, press down on the bark to compress it then refill with bark.  When done, you should be able to gently lift the cym without the pot falling off.

7. Place the newly repotted cyms in a warm semi-shady area during the coming winter and keep them on the dry side to help encourage new roots to grow.  Water only to keep the bark barely moist.

8. When temperatures warm up next year, move them to a place where they will recieve full morning sun or late afternoon sun.  The leaves should be a light to medium green color when they are getting proper sunlight exposure.  

9. Feed them with a balance type orchid fertilizer with each watering but at 1/4 the rate suggested on the fertilizer container.  As temperatures warm up, you may need to water more frequently, even as often as 2-3 times a week in summer there in Bakersfield.  In winter, you may only need to water once every 7 to 10 days or even longer.  What you want is the bark to become almost dry between waterings.  

The cym that died, did you throw it away or do you still have it?  Although it may have looked dead, it might still be salvageable.  If you still have it, you may be able to get it to grow some new growths.  

Sorry for this long-winded reply but I hope it helped.  If you have other questions or would like more information about the above, write back and I'll try to help with them.  

Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.