Help with cymbidium leaves indicating a problem - Orchid Board

Bobits · #1 05-31-2016, 06:57 PM

Hi there, I reported my cymbidium for the first time. The old pot was ENTIRELY filled with plump yellow roots. It appeared very healthy. The medium I chose was a mixture of perlite, lava rock, bark, and soil. I left it outside as it was getting warmer and a few of the leaves were showing signs of burn so I brought it back inside. Now the leaves are showing something that looks like rot! Can someone help?

rbarata · #2 05-31-2016, 07:18 PM

From what I know cymbs never have pretty leaves, there are always spots and other things like those the pictures show. I'm experienced in growing them outside tear round so they are at the mercy of the weather.
It seems the worst leaf is one on the outside, i.e., an older one. Those are prone to such symptoms.
Others can give their oppinions.

Bobits · #3 05-31-2016, 08:06 PM

Thanks for your input

Bobits · #4 05-31-2016, 08:08 PM

I should also mention that at least 11 leaves are impacted currently. I am thinking it has to do with soil drainage but I'm not sure how to fix the problem

rbarata · #5 05-31-2016, 08:37 PM

I would remove the soul fron your mixture...if that's the problem.

silken · #6 05-31-2016, 08:49 PM

Does your pot have good drainage? If so the soil shouldn't be a real problem with all the other chunky things in your mix. I don't grow mine in soil but I know some people do. Can you spray your plant with something like Physan. Or maybe some horticultural sulfur dust in case there is an infection. I have had Cyms that had ugly leaves but the two I have now are mostly quite nice looking. They can take fairly high amounts of sun part of the day (preferably not direct noon sun) but they need to be introduced gradually if they were in the house for the winter. I would maybe snip off a few of the leaves since there are quite a few good ones left and see if it continues to develop on other leaves.

estación seca · #7 05-31-2016, 11:51 PM

It looks like sunburn to me.

silken · #8 06-01-2016, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

It looks like sunburn to me.

3rd pic looks like sunburn but some of the others look more black spotted or something.

Ray · #9 06-01-2016, 09:32 AM

It's really hard to be definitive from a web-posted photo, but such "sooty mold" can sometimes indicate the start of insect issues.

Bobits · #10 06-01-2016, 09:37 AM

I had already cut off the ones with sunburn and this developed after I brought it back inside. There are not any places in my yard that have partial shade that aren't watered heavily 3 times per week which I think will be too much water for this plant. What do others think. I think I will try one of the remedies @silken suggested as I don't think it's sunburn. I am a bit reluctant to take out the soil only because of the lack of moisture retention of the other media and I am hopeful the roots begin to "grow into" the oh her stuff since they were so tightly packed. I wasn't able to break them apart without damaging them. Maybe I should try again?