Orchid Newbie from Canada

[Bribri]

Hi everyone,
I'm so happy and grateful to come across this site!
Just last month I started collecting orchids ( currently have 1 cymbidium and 2 phalaenopsis and a tillandsia). Think I inherited this orchid loving from my mom lol. I've found growing indoor plants a challenge so we shall see how these 4 plants do. I have them in my office by a window will, north facing. Also repotted them ( trimmed down some dead roots) so I'm crossing my fingers. I'll have to find a forum regarding diseased/sick orchids...noticed my cymbidium is already discoloring (yellowish with dark spots) on a couple of tips. I attached a pic in case anyone would know what this means...if this isnt the spot to do it, i understand Anyhow cheers and happy to be here!

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

The problem on the leaves might not actually be a problem. I find Cymbidiums easily get patches like that on the leaves and it doesn't spread and doesn't seem to be a problem.

One thought, Cyms are often grown outside or in a cool greenhouse, they mostly don't like to freeze but also most don't like it too warm.

You might get more help if the leaves are a problem or not in our 'Pests & Diseases' section.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

Welcome to the Orchid Board from the OCRC in China.

[Optimist]

Hi and welcome. There are about 3000 types of orchids, so there is bound to be something that you like and can grow. One thing you will learn is that many have similar care, many more do not. So it is possible for your Phalenopsis to live happily in the same growing conditions as a Paphiopedalum (slipper orchid) but not with a Cymbidium, which will need about twice, to three times the light.


The light you describe seems nice for a Phalenopsis orchid, but the Cimbidium orchid will not thrive. You can basically leave your Cimbidium outside in around 75% light (requires some shading, not direct light).

The best advice I ever got from this board is to match your orchids to the situation you can provide, and not the opposite.

[WhiteRabbit]

[Bribri]

Thank you for the tips and care sheets. I did not realize that growing a cymbidium in a phalenopsis environment would not be favorable to the plant. I'll place it in a south facing window in my bedroom and hope that it will thrive better there. I noticed at the store that all the orchids are just grouped together so I figured it would be a-okay! I will keep that in mind with future plants.