Cymbidium leaves yellowing and bulbs turned black

[amarie429]

Hello! I'm a new orchid mama and I was gifted a cymbidium from a friends mother plant that had overgrown its pot. When I received it, it was two bulbs with beautiful green leaves and he even stuck the flowered spike in as well! I received the orchid in soil and a terra cotta pot and repotted it myself in a bark/soil/perlite mix having read it would be best and there was not much roots and they seemed damaged so I decided to give it some time and love. But unfortunately the leaves began yellowing, some fell off and now I'm left with very little leaves and the bulbs have turned black (not mushy or stinky). I don't know if I should have just left it in the soil, but I'm hoping I didn't kill it! Should I leave it alone? Repot? Any advice is welcome! I'm just hoping I can save him

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

When asking questions it helps if you tell us your day/night temperatures, humidity, what kind of light it gets and how you're watering it.

[amarie429]

Yes thank you! I live in Southern California where there's not too much humidity but I do have it indoors somewhat nearby a humidifier for other plants. I have a western facing sliding door with bright indirect light, and I get about 8-12 hours of light. Temperatures are around 60-65 F right now and I do not have it near a window/door so no breeze but fresh air flows through. I also know he originally was potted outside and overgrowing a rather large outdoor pot. I have watered it through once when I first repotted it with filtered water and then once more about a few days ago.

[estación seca]

Older Cymbidium divisions can take a while to establish if they don't have good roots. The yellowing of leaves might reflect not being able to take up enough water. Older pseudobulbs can blacken if the get too much light, but indoors this is probably not an issue. You could have left it potted as it came; they are not picky about soil mix.

If you keep the soil evenly moist and the plant warm and bright, it should soon begin making new growths.

If you have a patio with dappled shade you could put it outside there. You can use tap water. These orchids aren't picky about water.

[Roberta]

This is the time of year for new growth on Cymbidiums. So even if you lose the new growths, there will very likely be more - which will also produce new roots. I think that it needs to move outside... Southern California has a perfect climate for Cymbidiums, and I can't think of any reason to pamper it inside. As ES mentions, water quality is no big deal for Cyms... in a few areas with really bad water you might get some brown leaf tips, but even that won't hurt. Its new mix is well-drained (this is a good time for potting, I need to get to work on mine) so it's pretty difficult to over-water.... Cyms also like to stay on the damp side but not sitting in water.

[amarie429]

That’s such a relief! All good news, I will put it outside today, thank you for all the advice and help. I’m just happy I may not lose it