Shrunken bulbs with black spots on cymbidiums

[drmab]

Thank you so much for the quick reply! So I should put them back in the pots, without any roots at all, and not as I have them now, in a little water? Too late, I already cut ALL THE ROOTS,

[SouthPark]

I agree with Roberta. I'm fairly new to cyms myself, but I can see what Roberta is saying - they are tough indeed.

Some of mine, growing in 100% scoria, and some growing in bark - get toppled over by wind, and lying on their sides until I find them like that - and then I just get them upright again (followed by regathering the media pieces that came out from their pots).

Nothing happens to them at all.

Just make sure they get enough light, and nice growing temperatures ----- and even though their roots may handle wet roots for long periods of time better than say catts etc ...... it is still a good idea to use media and watering schedules/methods that avoids roots drowning.

In case the following information is useful ---- just pasting the helpful links below:
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Click Here

It is certainly helpful to clean up and remove rotting parts. Then, as Roberta mentions ----- pot up, and allow the orchid to do its thing - regardless of how things pan out. Just give them time, and give good conditions.
If you have cut all the roots already, then you can use a woooden skewer (long one) ... aka wooden gardening stake thing ........ and garden twisty ties ...... to help anchor the orchid in place.

[drmab]

Thank you both!
Marietta

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by drmab

Thank you so much for the quick reply! So I should put them back in the pots, without any roots at all, and not as I have them now, in a little water? Too late, I already cut ALL THE ROOTS,

Oh I wish you had asked... Cutting the roots was a really bad idea. (Chalk it up to the learning process... we all make plenty of mistakes in the beginning!) Now you will have problem anchoring the p-bulbs. Use some wood barbecue skewers on either side... at least two per plant, more if there is motion in more than one direction. And/or heat a metal rod, run it through the side of the pot (plastic) over the p-bulb joint... exactly how you anchor it firmly you'll have to figure out. But firm is vital. Yes, repot With no roots, it has no way to take in water. (Even bad roots can take in some water... zero roots, you have taken that away) Keep the medium gently damp. That will encourage new growth from any active "eyes" that may be there (and there probably are some)

If they live long enough to make new growth, they will make new roots. (Cyms can sprout new growth from bare, rootless back bulbs... but it can take a long time to get the plant big enough to bloom.) When you showed the first pictures they didn't look half bad. Now with the root amputation you have given them a more difficult path to recovery but they still may make it.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by drmab

spray them with listerine

drmab ------ I haven't sprayed orchids with listerine before. Just got to make sure whether certain substances are safe for orchids ----- otherwise, could end up with issues (or worse than what we started with).

[drmab]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Oh I wish you had asked... Cutting the roots was a really bad idea. (Chalk it up to the learning process... we all make plenty of mistakes in the beginning!) Now you will have problem anchoring the p-

If they live long enough to make new growth, they will make new roots. (Cyms can sprout new growth from bare, rootless back bulbs... but it can take a long time to get the plant big enough to bloom.) When you showed the first pictures they didn't look half bad. Now with the root amputation you have given them a more difficult path to recovery but they still may make it.

Thank you again!

---------- Post added at 08:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:17 PM ----------

Sorry Roberta - one last question - how low in the medium can I plant the cyms? Can I bury the bulbs down to 1/3 of the bulb?

[Roberta]

No limit on the number of questions! Keep asking!

You don't want to bury the pseudobulbs - maybe 1/2 inch but no more. They need to sit on the surface. (That's why you needed those roots even if they weren't good) Along with those stakes, another trick is to take a pipe cleaner (wire with fuzz) or just wire, and wrap around the rhizome, tight enough to hold in place, the long part extending downward. Fake "roots" - can't do the moisture part but can lend some stability.

[drmab]

Stick the wire into the bulb, then down into the medium?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by drmab

Stick the wire into the bulb, then down into the medium?

No. Wrap the wire around the rhizome - the narrow part between the pseudobulbs (assuming there is more than one) Don't do anything to "invade" any part of the plant. (Any breaks are an invitation to infecgtion) You want to just brace it.

[drmab]

Ok, shall try tomorrow, might have more questions then! 😇 thanks so much for all the advice! You are amazing!