How to Prune Cymbidiums

Cymbidiums are one of the most ideal orchids for outdoor growing. Due to the fact that they are quite cold hardy, they can remain outdoors between early spring and late fall. Their large, attractive flowers can bloom for eight weeks with proper care. Like most orchids, Cymbidiums need repotting every two years, and it is during this repotting process that you should prune the orchid and perform general root care in order to ensure a healthy, thriving orchid for many years.

Garden shears
Small bowl
Physan 20
Orchid pot

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the orchid from its pot very gently so you do not bend or break any of its roots.
- 2
  Brush off all of the old bark and root mass, and any debris that is hanging off the roots.
- 3
  Place your small garden shears in a small bowl filled with a disinfectant that is safe for plants, such as Physan 20. By leaving the shears in the disinfectant for several minutes, you will sterilize the shears and prevent any transfer of bacteria or viruses while pruning the Cymbidium.
- 4
  Prune away any of the orchid's roots that are dead or soft. Dead roots will be soft and brown. Any hard, firm and off-white roots are healthy. For healthy roots that are still living, but grow outside of the pot, trim them back an inch or two with the shears, though do not trim the healthy roots that grow inside the pot.
- 5
  Deadhead any dead flowers of leaves, or cut them away from the plant with the shears. If you see any additional areas of the plant that are black, brown or soft, gently cut them away from the plant.
- 6
  Repot the orchid into a slightly bigger pot than the previous pot.

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