Shrunken bulbs with black spots on cymbidiums

[Roberta]

Keep asking! That's how you learn! Cymbidium was my very first orchid (gateway drug. )... some 25 years ago. They're super-easy to grow where i live, not as easy in other places. So I have seen... and potted a few...

[drmab]

Good afternoon! thank you, Roberta, I think I have them firm now, all I need is patience, and a lot of luck?! 🤞☺️

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by drmab

Good afternoon! thank you, Roberta, I think I have them firm now, all I need is patience, and a lot of luck?! 🤞☺️

Excellent! The second will follow from the first. Best of wishes!

[drmab]

Good morning. Since I already started here, if I may, I’d like to continue.
I am posting a photo of the rounded spots on these cymbidiums.... are these not a virus? I am afraid to place them near my other orchids?

[Roberta]

Not virus. Probably insect damage. Happens to Cyms a lot. (Virus on Cym leaves tends to show as a tangle of black streaks over the whole leaf - but those aren't always virus either, some bacterial/fungal issues present like that too. The only way to be certain of virus is to test... Cyms tend toward ugly leaves in general)

[drmab]

Thank you as ever, Roberta!

I added coco coir to the surface of the pots, just to keep the surface damp as you directed, so all I shall do is spray the top and not water it since there are no roots! Hope that is all right!

[Roberta]

You can run water through the pot - just not too often (maybe twice a week). You do want "humid air" throughout the pot. (IF you just mist the surface, the interior will be bone-dry and that's not the goal) That will encourage root growth without causing a soggy environment. Especially in the house, depending on humidity, these will tend to dry out pretty fast.

[drmab]

Glad I asked! Should I remove the coco coir then? Sorry about all these dumb questions!

[Roberta]

No dumb questions ! Only the unasked ones...

I don't think the coir will hurt. On the surface, it will dry out fast. Now and then, stick your finger into the pot and determine what the moisture feels like. (Or you can use a wood barbecue skewer to get down into the pot once you know what it should feel like) The rate of drying is something that you'll have to figure out by observation. The goal is "gently damp" - how you get to that goal, you'll have to just observe what it does. A lengthy process, but then, orchid-growing is like that...nothing happens fast.

[drmab]

again, thank you very much!
I potted them in smaller plastic pots so hopefully I can tell by looking at the medium. Also, I packed the bark medium in the smaller pots which made it easier for me to stick in the bamboo, and tied the cyms to them.
thanks!