Bent/broken leaves near base

[Jak]

Hello SouthPark,

yes apologies - an accordion/folding fan pattern/shape (in my language you call an accordion the pull harmonica, so my mind blanked on this one :-) ).

Maybe it really is due to leaves getting stuck together and both growing at different rates. If not concerned about the shape, then I'm thinking it's fine to just let the plant grow like that.

yes this is my thinking as well - I am not a neat freak if the plan it happy, then that is what matters... what I am afraid of is if I have somehow created this situation for the plant and how I can remedy it - tearing out a leaf while growing is probably not part of nature's design I am guessing... have you had this happen?

I have 4-5 new growths on my other cym (the one with the originally bent leaves with one coming off), so I will watch that one for signs of trouble... this seems to happen only on the big growts, the small ones where the leaves separate while still pretty small are completely fine...

to all who read please speculate what to look for, do, etc. I have searched and searched and cannot find any information on this behavior. (might be just my search skills ;-) ).

Jakub

[Cym Ladye]

To avoid this problem in the future.
1) Plant needs to have plenty of air movement and bright light (morning sun or 50% sun all day). Weak leaves will pleat or accordion.
2) Water adequately and evenly but do not over water.
3) Should be outside during warm months. Cyms are NOT year round indoor plants.
4) Be sure you do not have spider mite.

I suspect the problems here are not enough light, not enough air movement and over watering.

[Jak]

Hello Cym Ladye,

thank you I think you nailed it!

the first Cym when it developed this problem was indoors (Lowish high although I do have artificial + south window it might not be enough in winter and early spring which is when I have the Cyms indoors due to night time freezing).

the second Cym was outside during the tearing, but was all the way at the back where I keep it due to its sensitivity to light (the leaves are almost white as is), but this means it is in still air.

for the watering I water once a week letting them soak, pour out excess water, and only water additionally with a little water if the week is very hot... would you say that is overdoing it or adequate.

Thank you,
Jakub

[Cym Ladye]

Jakob, I suspect your soaking is not necessary and may allow the roots to hold too much water during the week. Simply letting the water run through the pot is usually adequate for most watering.

[Jak]

Thank you Cym Ladye,

By run through... I should just run the water thru the pot evenly... How long should I do this for(give or take I will experiment for.sure to see what works for me, but would like a good starting point...)?

Jakub

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jak

for the watering I water once a week letting them soak, pour out excess water, and only water additionally with a little water if the week is very hot... would you say that is overdoing it or adequate.

Jak ..... your media from the photos appears to be bark mixture.

What's the setup of your pots? Very good drainage pots with pure bark in there?

And what do you mean by pour out excess water? I'm just assuming if we have a pot with very good drainage, and bark, then the water would just go through the pot and drain out.

[Swimmingorchids]

well i broke off a flower spike today. Couldn't believe it. Can't even blame the dog. Turned round , felt a crunch - fresh flower spike broke clean off.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Swimmingorchids

well i broke off a flower spike today. Couldn't believe it. Can't even blame the dog. Turned round , felt a crunch - fresh flower spike broke clean off.

Happens to all of us... welcome to the club. The plant was doing well enough to spike, so hopefully next year will be better.

[Jak]

Hello Southpark,

My setup is the following for both cyms: in plastic pot with drainage put inside a ceramic non draining pot. The medium is cocoa chips with cocoa fiber - not as drainy as my pine bark for phals to be sure, but drains nicely.

Once a week I fill the ceramic pot with water (and fertilizer depending on schedule), have the cym sit in it for 10m plus.... Remove and let completely drain (until water just drips out of the plastic pot), place plastic pot back into ceramic one. I add water if a particularly hot week, but just some, not enough to see it drain out into the ceramic pot.

As is the cym with the original bent leaf has now produced some spikes, and one is huge (picture attached) - it looks to be trying to out-do the spike which I originally bent (and is coming actually from that pseudo bulb), and had the first leaf which just came off as it was stuck together with another leaf which grew a little quicker... Now I will know what to look for I can observe and report back :-)

Jakub

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jak

Once a week I fill the ceramic pot with water (and fertilizer depending on schedule), have the cym sit in it for 10m plus.... Remove and let completely drain (until water just drips out of the plastic pot), place plastic pot back into ceramic one. I add water if a particularly hot week, but just some, not enough to see it drain out into the ceramic pot.

Thanks for describing your watering schedule and method Jak. The orchid appears to have been doing really well, so this schedule should be just fine for those conditions. Very nice to hear of the spiking as well!