Newbie cymbidium help - brown tips on leaves

[Lorrette]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to both orchids and this forum, so if i'm asking this in the wrong place please let me know!

I purchased some small cymbidium plants last October, which is the first time I've tried to grow orchids. On the whole I think they are doing OK with some of them currently growing new leaves. However, one of the orchids developed a brown area on the tip of one of the leaves, which over 2-3 days spread down the leaf until the leaf died and fell off. Now this has happened again on a different plant, with two of the leaves now starting to go brown at the tip. I have attached a couple of photos I took with my phone this morning - apologies for the quality.

The orchids are all housed in a miniature portable greenhouse, which is covered in 50% shadecloth. They are on a 3rd floor north-facing balcony, which does get direct sun during the day (hence the use of the shadecloth). I'm in Melbourne, Australia, so the temperatures regularly get above 30 degrees celcius in summer with the nights staying quite warm.

Since I am so new to orchids I was wondering if you could tell me what could be causing these brown leaves, what can be done to prevent it and if it's anything I need to worry about.

Thanks very much in advance

Lorrette.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I am not an expert on cyms, I only have 2 noids, but I've noticed when the leaves touch something they have a tendency to turn brown. I snip the brown off.
Someone with more experience will chime in soon.
Joann

[WhiteRabbit]

I am far from an expert, but do grow cyms, and here's my take -

If the whole leaf yellowed and died - it may be just shedding of old foliage - leaves do not live indefinitely. If this is occurring only on older growth it is likely to be the case.

Brown tips can also be caused by mineral salts accumulating in the media - from fertilizer and or hard water. A regular, thorough flushing of the potting media can help tho any brown tips won't 'green up' but it will help prevent this occurring.

[cabbo]

Mine do the same thing, I just trim them up. No cause for alarm probably.

[Lorrette]

Thanks all for your quick and helpful responses! I'll trim the browned tips off and see how that goes.

[Des]

The yellow area just below the die back tells me that it is a fungus, trim the leaf below the yellow portion and seal the edge with sulphur or cinnamon

[Lorrette]

Thanks Des. I've done as you suggested and so far there is no sign of it coming back - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Des]

Its a pleasure, I will be visiting your wonderful country in April and cant wait !!!