---
title: "Help! I unpotted a neglected outdoor Cymbidium and found a bad root…"
description: "Help! I unpotted a neglected outdoor Cymbidium and found a bad root disaster! Most of the roots are dark and squishy. The pseudo bulbs are still firm and most…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/PW8Qo8Uxi2cCSDRnGRuNED"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Amy"
published: "2025-04-19T05:44:54.937135Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/VZZ3g-skTdGnmxbnNeT78A.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! I unpotted a neglected outdoor Cymbidium and found a bad root…

_Posted by Amy on 2025-04-19_

Help! I unpotted a neglected outdoor Cymbidium and found a bad root disaster! Most of the roots are dark and squishy. The pseudo bulbs are still firm and most have leaves. Some new tiny roots and shoots are growing! The media is dissolving and crumbling. No bad smells though. After rinsing the plant really well and trimming away the squishy stuff, the plant feel part into smaller clumps. What should I do for repotting? Should I use sphagnum moss around the bulbs and bark chips around the roots? Moss only? Bark and perlite only? Should I use chunky bark or smaller material? There’s conflicting info on YouTube. Should I individually pot up each clump or can I put a few together? This guy was in one big (+12”) pot. Any help would be appreciated.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/VZZ3g-skTdGnmxbnNeT78A.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/E9cA4nb-RwGlTsto8qRehA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/_aaeLkZhSVW1k59oDqG-Cw.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### MattL commented on 2025-04-19

Cymbidium people love to argue about potting medium. I have no particular insight, but my guess is that as long as you put it in a mix that allows for significant aeration and drainage you'll be fine. Moss holds the most water, so you'll water less but the danger of overwatering is greater; bark is in between, and rock or perlite holds no water but adds aeration. My personal mix is rock at the very bottom of a cymbidium pot to avoid standing water, bark and perlite above, and moss as a cover to keep it from drying out instantly. I have to water fairly often (maybe every 2-3 days).

Some people say cymbidiums bloom better when crowded...but crowding also increases the risk of rot so that may be why you got here in the first place. I'd separate them but put each one in a smaller cymbidium pot.

If people with more experience have better advice, you should listen to them!

### Amy commented on 2025-04-19

Thank you for the advice. Where do you recommend getting cymbidium pots from?

#### MattL replied on 2025-04-20

I use a cheap plastic cymbidium pot that I got from a local houseplant store. But if you google "cymbidium pots" there are a ton of options.

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