Cymbidium leaf yellowing after repot

[Nicolasdperez]

I recently repotted a cymbidium that overgrown into bark, but now the new growths have began to form yellow stripes. Is this due to overwatering or stress of a repot?

Thank you for your time and help ,

Nicolas D. Perez

[estación seca]

My first thought is nutrient deficiency. What fertilizers are you using? How do you mix them? How often?

[Nicolasdperez]

I am currently using a 30-10-10 fertilizer every two weeks.

[Roberta]

If the yellowing is on growths that have bloomed (I see the base of an old spike in the photo) it is normal. It's possible that some roots got damaged, which would also cause older leaves to drop. But after blooming, Cyms shed some old leaves, and would have done so even if it hadn't been repotted. Do keep the plants watered - new medium dries out fast and Cyms don't like to go dry.

[estación seca]

What concentration are you using? Are you feeding calcium and magnesium as well?

[jtrmd]

getting too dry in new mix

[Nicolasdperez]

Unfortunately the yellowing is only on the two new growths. After it bloomed it put out two new growths and I waited a bit too long to repot and an old began to brown at the tip and work its way down. The yellowing has only formed on the new growth after repotting and the roots did not appear rotted when I repotted. I am using full strength 30-10-10 every two weeks with no additional supplements. I have never had magnesium or calcium issues with any of orchids before but this is my first cymbidium.

[Roberta]

It looks very dry. Unlike many other orchids, Cyms HATE to go dry. They grow more like terrestrials than epiphytes though they can grow epiphytically.

[Nicolasdperez]

The orchid was probably in a gallon pot before and now I put it in a 3 gallon pot with pre soaked mixed bark. I have been checking the pot often and watering weekly, should I be watering and fertilizing more often?

[Roberta]

Unless you are in a very humid area, the watering frequency is likely not adequate. My Cyms get watered every 3 days in winter, 2 days now, and in summer may get it daily if it's hot. They're pretty wet most of the time. Once a week with the fertilizer should be fine. (I give them a top dressing of time-release fert, to supplement the light liquid fertilizer that they get with everything else, because the are heavy feeders. My city water is high in calcium so I don't see deficiencies. If yours is more pure, it is something to consider. Cyms grow fast and are large, so thy are "hungrier" than most of your collection. But I'd look at increasing water first. They are also thirsty.