a couple of cym' questions

[PJG]

Thanks to begin with.

I'm in San Diego, to start with.

They are pots in pots that drain.
Images from Dec., and today.
Last Dec', I bought 3 cym' from Home Depot (or rescued)

They've been outside in a roofed patio. Light but no direct sun.

After the flowers stopped I cut the spikes.

Now, I'm just letting them do their thing, a little water, (raised off the ground, not sitting in water.

But, there are new sword like bulbs/leafs but a lot of the other leafs (long leafs) are browning at the top (that I've clipped), and some are falling and bending (still green) while I've noticed some browning along the leaf as well. I picked one up and the pot was as solid as a rock, repot? What to use to fill?

Summary,
Brown leaf tips.
Some browning along a couple of leafs.
New growth,

I'll give you more later. Any educated guesses?

Top five photos from around Dec.
bottom five photos, just taken July 18

[JW2250]

Well it looks like there might be some bark rot in the pot, according to the dying bulbs and, browning tips usually means over fertilising.
Pot mix? Orchid bark (large screened size), cocunut husk cubes, mid sized larva rock, pelleted fowl manure, blood and bone, pebbles on top of the mix.

[WhiteRabbit]

my cyms are potted in bark mix - chunky (medium), and quite fine fir bark, some perlite, pumice, styro pnuts

chc should also work well (some mix chc and bark) - so long as there is pretty good moisture retention, and very good drainage

I leave your other questions for more knowledgeable growers than myself

gl!

[Cym Ladye]

It looks to me as if you are not giving the plant enough light. Leaves will break easily when there is not enough sunlight for them. If there is no more than one back bulb on each plant, I would not be concerned but you might want to pot up the one in the green plastic.

You can repair the leaves by taking a twist tie and gently securing a broken leaf to one next to it. Often, the bend will heal on its own. At least you will not have to trim it so it is not dragging on the ground.

I also have to ask if you have a kitty who likes your orchids? I have seen leaves broken like this from animals walking through the plants.

Are you hosing down the leaves? They look a little dusty.

Brown leaf tips can occur not only from excess fertilizer going to the tips when you water a dry plant, but also from poor roots and a general lack of water absorption. Also, just plain lack of water can cause tip burn, which I do not think is your problem, but without seeing the condition of the roots, it is difficult to diagnose this.

I hope this helps but remember, "ask 10 different people a question and you will get 12 different answers". You will just have to figure out what will work best for you in your environment.

Cym Ladye

[PJG]

Thanks for all your responses. Sorry for not getting back, been busy.

The third photo from the top left shows I had the cym's in a semi circle. I thought they were getting enough light, but anyway I moved them to get some direct light not much as the sun moves (not burning). They've been outside under a patio since I bought them.

I tied the bent leafs to others or used wood splints.

I cleaned the leafs. Sprayed with water. White paper towel turned pretty much black.

I stopped all watering until today, and gave each one a nice (draining) water. Roots should've gotten wet.

I had been spraying the leafs (water bottle) Should I continue now I've cleaned them up?

I haven't repotted the green pot, just haven't had time. Will it matter doing repotting now, new growth at the back but no spikes? Or can you repot anytime?

No cat/kitten. But they all continue with new growth.

Will gladly take more suggestions.

[Cym Ladye]

You are safe to repot and or divide in your area until the first of August, although the earlier you finish, the better. I will not finish all I have to do until the first of September, and I am further north than you and get colder sooner. This does not allow as much time for the plant to get established as one would desire.

If you have the option, use a full spray of water with your trusty finger at hose end or a water wand each time you water/fertilize. Bottle spraying Cyms generally does not get all the dust off and tends to lead to crown rot in my experience.

Are you fertilizing? If not on a weekly/weakly basis, you might try a slow release as Nutricote balanced 13-13-13.

There are many outstanding hobbyist Cymbidium growers in the San Diego area and I would strongly recommend you seek them out for hands on information. The San Diego Branch of the CSA (Cymbidium Society of America) is home to many of them as is the Torrance Branch. Just Google the Cymbidium Society of America and follow the links.

Good Luck and happy growing,

CL

[PJG]

Thanks.
Before I go out and buy the 13-13-13.

I have a 20Ib bag of Vigoro 10-4-10 unopened in the garage.
It says Citrus & Avocado plant food.

Will that work, or should I just go and get what you suggested, 13-13-13.

[PJG]

OK, I did it.
I went to a nursery and bought a mix. Ingrediants 35-40%Fir, (softwood Bark, Lava Rock, Redwood Compost & Sand.
Next,
I now have 6 cyms instead of 3. It could have been 7 but I cut the roots and placed it in a bigger pot. I could go back and separate it?

I took some photo's of the first one. Then my battery gave up. Probably a good thing, dirty hands and camera's not a good mix.

But I did them all the same.

I had a moist mix in a bucket, I removed cym (notice hammer), split (notice knife), cut (knife) and filled each one. Except for one.

I will wait for a while before watering, 1,2 weeks?

I didn't have to let the cym's dry out because the roots and media were dry.
Probably from roots, YES?

Thanks for your help, Oh, for the brown tipped ones now, should I cut them for looks, same with a couple of leaves, changing color, cut them off, or wait for shock and see what happens?

Folks, I'll keep you informed as to how well you told me what to do and how I did.

[PJG]

As for the fertilizer, I finished up with a 20-20-20.

The lady said, (after I showed her I wanted 13-13-13), just don't add as much. As long as there equal I'll be OK. If not bring it back and I'll get a refund.

Now, with all in the new media, should I be OK. Or give a little fert' in a few days?
Trying cover all the bases here.

Thanks.
Peter

[JW2250]

PJG, here is an opinion worth thinking about -"On the topic of balanced fertilizers, the idea that the N:P:K requirements of an orchid are coincidentally identical to a 1:1:1 ratio of the ppms of nitrogen in its elemental form and phosphorous and potassium in their oxidised forms (the traditional definition of a balanced fertilizer) seems like utter nonsense to me.",
and a forum on fertilizer usage worth reading about -

"Post subject: A preamble to our examination of Cymbidium nutrition." @ Forum - New Horizon Orchids - Andy Easton