Question
QUESTION: My first miniature cymbidium came from that famous orchid house on El Camino Real about 35 years ago. I live on the other coast. Since then I've repotted and given away tons, but lately haven't taken good care of them.  However, the one (or the grand-daughter of the one) in the ORIGINAL round, unglazed, plastic-like but kind-of fibrous pot is the one that always blooms the best, every year!  The pot is tall, wider at the top, four small holes on the bottom, black, light weight, slightly porous I'd guess, and I'd love to replace it to use for all my repottings.  It is only now beginning to deteriorate, after almost 40 years, living outside March-November. Do you have any idea what I mean, or how I can search for such a pot?  I know it's a long shot, but thanks!

ANSWER: Hello Liz,

Ah, you mean the Rod McClellan Acres of Orchids (http://www.rodmclellan.com/) that no longer is located on the El Camino Real but now in a much smaller building in San Mateo, Ca. (https://www.orchidexperts.com/)  It used to be one of the better orchid nurseries in the country but no longer I'm afraid.  

As for the orchid pot you are looking for, I'm not sure where you might find them.  But here are some places you might check online, there are some others but these come to mind right now.  

http://www.orchidbasket.com/

http://www.usorchidsupplies.com/

You've been growing those cymbidiums for almost as long as I have been growing orchids.  By the way, have you kept up with developments with cymbidiums over the years?  A lot of new hybrids have been introduced, some capable of producing spikes over several years from the same bulb.  In fact, there are some that can have 2 spikes per bulb and both in bloom at the same time.  

Hope you are able to find those pots or something similar.  Good luck!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jim, What interests me is the fact that the "cymbidium pots" that are sold have much larger holes than what has worked consistently for me here in the hotter South.  I think that porosity and maybe tapered shape are factors as well, but I don't see confirmation from others.  Thanks for your recommendation to try new hybrids; I do need to diversify! Liz

Answer
Hi Liz,

There are quite a few different types of pots available but I would recommend pots that are taller than wide for cymbidiums because of their root system.  As for hole size, I look for pots with as many holes as possible then look at hole size.  In the past, I've cut additional holes in some larger pots that only had 4 holes by cutting 4 additional holes.  

A good size pot for cyms are 6 inch (150mm) diameter pots (often referred to as gallon pots) that are 7 to 8 inches deep.  These are good for divisions with upwards of 5 pseudobulbs.  

Living in the South, your sources for newer cymbidium hybrids are very limited unless you go online or send for catalogs.  Here are a few you might try taking a look at:  

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate:  http://www.sborchid.com/

Hatfield Orchids:  http://www.hatfieldorchids.com/

Casa de las Orquideas:  http://www.orquideas.com/

All of these are located in Southern California: Santa Barbara, Oxnard and San Diego respectively.  SBOE has a lot of the older hybrids while the other two have mostly newer hybrids including seedlings of new hybrids that have not bloomed yet.  Unfortunately, I believe the last two do not ship plants, you have to pick them up at the nursery.  I go to each of them at least once a year, more often when I have the time (and gas money!) to drive 4 to 7 hours to get to the nursery.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.