New to Orchids and just inherited 4 cymbidiums, need advice.

[Jimmyb1982]

Hi there!

I've been gardening and caring for many kinds of plants for a few years now with pretty decent results. My grandmother was recently moved into a nursing home and gave me 4 Cymbidiums (I think that's what they are...)

A couple of the plants are at least 20 years old, and I'd REALLY like to keep them alive! Grandma has them planted in pots, with normal soil and can't say if she has ever changed that... They have bloomed every year as far back as I can remember, but the leaves have black spots and there's a lot of dead "bases"(?) from plants that were in the pots before. I can tell from reading through this forum that there are several things wrong with all this, but have no idea where to start

I water them 1-2 times a week depending on heat and wind. Also, I live in Southern California so the weather never gets very cold, but I have them positioned so they are under light cover from plants above as a precaution in the rare event that we get a frost.

I'll try to get pictures up as soon as I can, but ANY advice, help, etc. will be most helpful!

Thanks,
Jim

[Merlyn]

Below is one link for culture info and I noticed info for NORTHERN California and if this one isn't enough, just google "cymbidium culture" and see what you get. I struggle with one tiny one and don't do well enough to pass on any experienced info.

Santa Barbara Estates is famous for their Cyms, I'm sure they have good info.

Cymbidiums - Cool Climate Beauties

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello ! Sit back, relax and read postings from some of our members where you can glean precious knowledge on how to care for your orchids based on their wealth of experience...post pictures of some of your blooms...and give joy to others

Here is the AOS cymbidium culture link:

AOS Cymbidium Culture Sheet

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
Pictures would really help to identify problem areas on your plants.
Joann

[Jimmyb1982]

Ok Great thank you Merlyn and bud for the links! After reading them I'll need to adjust their placement to get more light I think, and will have to repot in the spring. The future of the orchids doesn't seem as bleak as I originally thought, so thank you!

Zoi2, I took some pictures of each plant, and will get them up as soon as I can figure it out. Lol. I took an overall picture of each plant as well as one of the base/soil.

Thank you all for your help! I've never really had any specialty flowers before, but these orchids have immense sentimental value and I'm determined to care for them and help them thrive!

[silken]

Welcome to OB! Here is a link to some tips to help you get your pictures posted. They should be downsized to a small file or it won't upload.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...tml#post396283

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

[Jimmyb1982]

Ok, here are pictures of each of the four plants. Thank you all for the warm welcome, I'm sure I'll have great results if this forum is always this warm and inviting.

I've attached two pictures of each plant, one overall, and another closer up to show the soil and potting. I hope these are at all helpful, if not please tell me what to photograph and I'll get it posted as soon as possible.

The white one has a small shoot of flowers that are coming up, so I believe that I'm supposed to wait until after that before I do any repotting if need be.

Thanks again for all the welcomes and help!
Jim

[Jimmyb1982]

I'm sorry that all the pictures are turned 90 degrees to the left.. I'm not sure how to straighten them out, and they looked correct on my computer. If anyone knows how I can fix that, I'll be glad to correct the photots.

Thanks!

[nutgirl]

Good for you for taking an interest in your Gramma's orchids!
She may appreciate pictures and progress reports about them.

These are very rewarding orchids, enjoy them.


Maureen