Question

Cymbidium   QUESTION: Can I remove the brown, dried out psuedobulbs from my cymbidium? it just finished heavy flowering, about 7 large spikes.

ANSWER: You certainly can remove the old dried out pseudobulbs, especially if they have collapsed and have no substance. Sometimes this can be tricky, especially if they are located in the center of the plant. If that is the case, and you want to divide the plant, the easiest way to remove them is to divide it so the dead pseudobulbs are exposed and can simply be pulled off from the edge of the new division.  If you don't want to divide it (sounds like a superb speciman plant), first try to do it without any cutting by trying to isolate and just pull out the dead pseudobulbs. The last option is to cut the connection between the dead pseudobulbs and their neighbors.  Use a sterile cutting tool and seal the ends of the cut.  Removal can be timed to correspond with repotting but I wouldn't repot just for that reason. Congratulations on a great job of growing and flowering this plant.

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QUESTION: What kind of sealer do I have to use? I have a a spray-type sealer that is used after I prune branches--do I use this? (it's black).

ANSWER: I use powdered sulphur.  An alternative would be another powdered fungicide such ass rootone or copper sulphate. If there is a name tag in the pot, be sure to retain it.

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QUESTION: Are these sealers available in any gardening section of stores like Home Depot? Under what brand name can I get these? Thanks again for your answer!

Answer
Renee, you may be able to get the powdered sulphur at a pharmacy.  Check with the pharmacist.  I haven't had the occassion to try to purchase any because I have had a supply for many years. A small container can last for years.  If the pharmacy doesn't have it, try a garden center for rootone.  I don't believe the large box stores carry it because it's not among the brands they stock. Rootone is used to root cuttings but incorporates a fungicide.  A conventional garden center is likely to carry it.  I believe it is under the brand name "Black Flag" but may be marketed under other names as well.

Thanks for the picture.  Based upon that, I would wait until the beginning of new growth and repot the plant in fresh orchid potting mix.  This will require that you remove the plant from its current container.  Once it is out of pot, it will be easy to remove the leafless pseudobulbs before repotting.  Try to use a pot that is large onough to provide at least an inch separation between the outermost pseudobulbs and the edge of the pot.  This will provide growing room for the new growths.