New to Cymbidiums... is coloration normal?

[julieinbr]

I am new to Orchidboard and to Cymbidiums.
I rescued this Cymb. from a grocery in Jan., it looked much worse when i bought it.
However, it continues to have what looks like too much water (black spots), the white area's are questionable to me and the leaves split, even the new growth.
I am about to divide it and repot it for the second time.
It grows like crazy, but looks unhealthy.
What should i do?

Thanks

[WhiteRabbit]

*thread moved to Cymbidium alliance*



Can you please tell us how you are growing this? Light, water, potting media ...

[Cym Ladye]

This plant appears to have been grown in low light conditions for some time, hence the weak and bent foliage. It also appears to have mechanical damage. From your photo, although I cannot say for certain, it appears normal. If the marks on the new growth continue, I would want to check for virus, but if this is the only orchid you have, I would not worry about it at this point.

Yes, it needs to be repotted and perhaps divided, removing all the roots attached to pseudobulbs which have no leaves.

You do not say where this plant has been grown. As White Rabbit has suggested, this information would be very helpful. I will assume you are in an area where all danger of frost is past in Louisiana, so take your plant outside and place it in an area of 50/50 sun shade, or morning sun, afternoon shade.

Good luck and welcome to the Orchid Board.

CL

[julieinbr]

Thank you all so much.
I did respond to white rabbit, but I don’t think that I sent my reply correctly.
Since Jan. 2014 I have had this Cymb. in a very bright, North facing window.
It loves where it is, but I question the dark spots on it and leaf splitting.
Nothing has touched it that would make the leaves split.
I did divide it using sterilized
Tools and pots. I removed many rotted roots.
Thank you again, ya'll were very helpful.

[Cym Ladye]

Most Cymbidiums will not do well grown indoors year round and a North facing window definitely does not have enough light for a Cym. They should be grown outside all year long if weather permits and definitely during the non frost months.

The reason for the bent and broken leaves is because of lack of sunlight due to growing in low light. They need the bright outdoor light for strong leaves. Insufficient light causes long weak leaves which "fall over" and break at the bend. Nothing needs to touch them. The leaves should be a light green, not a dark green.

From your photo, I cannot see the black marks which concern you. Are you continuing to get more "black marks" on the new leaves or are they just on the old leaves? Black marks can be caused by several different things. Can you send a photo with a close up of the marks which concern you?