NOID Cymbidium: yellowing at the base

[Vonnie]

I just "rescued" this cymbidium from walmart. They were just about to throw them out since they had flowered ages ago and the spikes were dying off. It was the only one they had in this colour, hence why I chose it compared to a healthier looking one.

I just picked it up yesterday, any tips on how to set it on the road to recovery? Or is this actually normal?

[Wjs2nd]

Hmmmm, the yellow might just be part of the natural aging/dying off process cymbidiums go threw. I see new growth in your picture which is great! If those bulbs lose there leaves they can still grow new growths (a process called back-bulbing). Make sure it's not in standing water. They like to stay moist but not wet.

[Vonnie]

I thought it was weird that there is almost a horizontal line; separating the yellowing and the green at the bottom. Not sure what to make of it!

[Wjs2nd]

I'm not completetly sure, It doesn't look like bugs or fungus. I just think they maybe dying-off. Also, cymbidiums like very bright, high light. With the new growths developing you've already saved this cymbidium.

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks fine to me - so long as those pbulbs are firm. If you have a good look, you can see that the yellowing stuff is actually bract like foliage - that will yellow as it ages - foliage will eventually be shed, and the bracts will become brown sheathy material covering the pbulb.

[james mickelso]

Hi, these are good looking healthy cyms. This is what they look like when they age a little. The central ones are probably three years old and the two outter are two years old. The new growth is new this year and if you take good care of it (very easy) you will have flowers next year. You should also get one or two more new growths from this plant. They like bright light, good water which means low TDS, a 30-10-10 fertilizer at half strength every other feeding, and good air movement. Also evey fourth feeding water it well before feeding it. Let the water run through it then wait 15 mins and water well again. Then feed it. Don't bother repotting this year. Next year will be good. This fall, place them in a cool spot (oct). In August start feeding them with a 10-20-10 or bloom booster fertilizer. The cooler condition will initiate flower development. When the spike gets about 6 to 8 inches long, shove a sturdy stake (pencil thickness) into the mix next to the spike. Yes you will skewer some roots. Don't worry they heal well. Don't let the mix stay too wet. If you have good air movement, water once every 7 to 10 days. It should do well. Let us know how it does.

[Vonnie]

Well, I guess it's not really a NOID! I took it out of the fancy wrapping paper and a little tag fell out. Says "via paloma verde cream de menthe"

I thought it was ivory and pink, not green and pink. Not that I'm complaining! Though I couldn't find much on the web, except for a few eBay auction links.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

Well, I guess it's not really a NOID! I took it out of the fancy wrapping paper and a little tag fell out. Says "via paloma verde cream de menthe"

I thought it was ivory and pink, not green and pink. Not that I'm complaining! Though I couldn't find much on the web, except for a few eBay auction links.

nice! I have read that green Cyms can bloom ivory or whitish if they get sun when the buds start to develop.

[cricketerry]

Going by your tag then you have Cymbidium Via Paloma Verde 'Cream de Menthe' (Although Creme de Menthe is more accurate in terms of the drink.)

As far as the line you can see across the base of the leaves then this is perfectly normal and is called the abscission layer. As the leaves age they die off and break away from the plant along this line.

[Vonnie]

If it's just the result of aging, why is it that it's at the same height across the plant? You'd think that the older leaves and bulbs would have more yellowing than the newer growths, but it's all even.

You can actually feel a distinct ridge and difference in textures if you rub a finger over it.