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Hand Painted dragon pot from Taiwan

Asian Cymbidiums: Controlled Growing Conditions

In cultivating Asian Cymbidiums whether it is in a greenhouse, growing under lights or outdoors in temperate climates, particular attention must be paid to the growth media, the pot and the growing conditions.

Asian Cymbidium Pots

For centuries Asian growers have been using specialized pots to constrict the root spread, allow deep growth and maintain ventilation. It is not a coincidence that in every Asian orchid growing culture these special pots have evolved with consistent dimensions: a width to depth ratio of 1:3. The pots differ slightly from culture to culture. In all cases they can be glazed or unglazed.

In Korea the traditional orchid pot in cylindrical, tapers in the middle, has a larger mouth, and often contains several side drain holes; the base allows for ventilation under the pot. In China, the pots can be square or cylindrical, may contain side drainage holes and may have feet to raise the pot off the ground. In Japan, the pots are usually glazed, cylindrical, with a flared mouth and three feet.

There are now plastic pots available from Taiwan and Japan, some of these have removable inserts for root inspection, and are ventilated with side holes.

The pot should be chosen to compliment the size and shape of the plant and not to overpower it. The pot should allow room for new growth, but still restrain the lateral growth of the roots. I prefer the Korean pots for Cymbidium sinense, because they are larger and more ventilated, while Cymbidium ensifolium shows better in a slightly smaller pot. If you do not want to make the investment in Asian vases, I suggest using deep plastic pots, or pot many plants of the same species in a regular pot, thus constricting their roots.

When using unglazed ceramic pots the newly purchased pots should be soaked in water for several days before use so as to prevent the clay from absorbing the moisture in the media and hindering the growth of Cymbidiums. Glazed pots should be rinsed to remove any surface sand, wax or packing materials.

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This two-part article appeared in the American Orchid Society Magazine "Orchids" in July 1999 and August 1999. All photographs are copyright of Charles Marden Fitch 1999 and cannot be used without permission of him or the author.