Here's my novice's question: I have several very pretty and fragrant
cymbidiums which were bought, no label, from Whole Foods a few years ago.
They've come in tall skinny black plastic containers. I have been able to
rebloom them several times, but they were less vigorous this year, even
though I gave them a sunnier spot on the porch this summer, and let them
stay out later in the Fall to get some cold exposure (down to high 40's F).
Top growth seems reasonably healthy, but not a lot of new growth. I
wondered if I should repot them. On removing them from their containers,
there was no discernable media, only dense tangles of roots (which did look
healthy) that filled the entire pot. It seemed to me that it would be
impossible to untangle this mass to repot, as I do with other species. I
asked an acquaintance with more experience how he divides his cymbidiums to
repot, and he indicated (I'm not sure whether in jest or not) "with a
machete!" I've read that cymbidiums prefer to be potbound. What should I
do? Just leave these in their original containers and never repot? cut the
root mass apart to divide? put in a larger pot without untangling the root
mass and just pack some new media around the sides?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Chuck Berlin
Pittsburgh