Cymbidiums with yellow leaves

[The Bruce]

G'Day all, this is my first post on the forum so please be gentle.

I have a small (but precious) collection of mostly cymbidiums with a couple of zygos thrown in, and they have had a very healthy and strongly growing summer (in Oz) and are now starting to spike - you can see a spike on one of the cymbids in the second last picture and one on a zygo in the last.

But you can also see a number of yellow leaves right? I've always understood that the occasional yellow leaf was a normal part of the plants life cycle but right now I have at least one yellow leaf on almost every plant!

So my questions are; is this normal? If not, is it a watering issue or a fungal thing?

Finally, given the flower spikes on some plants, should I stop feeding now or wait until all the spikes are up?

[rbarata]

I don't see nothing abnormal.
In my oppinion, Cymbs have the ugliest leaves always full of "defects".

[The Bruce]

Thanks for your help.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I don't see nothing abnormal.
In my oppinion, Cymbs have the ugliest leaves always full of "defects".

Cymbidium leaves can be the most graceful and most beautiful of all orchids if they are properly cared for.

As to your question The Bruce, some loss of leaves in the fall is totally normal and yours appear to fall into that category. Yes, you may be growing a bit too bright but if you compensate with enough water during the hot days, you should be fine.

What city are you in or near? I have many grower friends living in various parts of Australia and perhaps you are near some of the nurseries. Welcome to The Board.

[The Bruce]

I'm in a Melbourne Victoria western suburb called Yarraville.

[No-Pro-mwa]

You should see mine. Of course it could be I underwater it at times. I don't think you should stop fertilizing as I am told these are very heavy feeders. I use slow release on mine. And they also like allot of water.

[rbarata]

Yes, I always feed them. Not full dose but half.
About the yellow leaves, you're in NZ, the summer is ending. Were they getting sun?

[The Bruce]

In Australia actually but no, about 50% shade all through summer.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! You should be giving us advice.

They look normal. The yellowing is from high light intensity and perhaps high temperatures. I also see some sunburn on the sides of some exposed pseudobulbs. You are growing them at the high end of their light and temperature tolerance, which is the best thing to do for plant health. Some people want them to look greener and prettier, so they grow them in a little less light. But I would not change a thing if I were you.

I bet there is an Australian cymbidium society that has online information about how to fertilize in your conditions. In fact, I'd be surprised if Melbourne doesn't have a local society.

[rbarata]

Yes, Australia...sorry.