HELP! My Cym's are sick!

[Rhiannon]

I water them every two weeks. I give them the standard orchid food in their water.
Are they dying and what can I do to save them?
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you





I thought I would throw in a pic of my Golden Elf just in case there was something that someone could spot that I should watch out for. I rescued it from the 'sale table'. It was in pretty sad shape when I got it. I've never seen it bloom.

[Des]

Well firstly let me say that I doubt if that is a cymbidium ,unless it is one I have never seen before . those bulbs are so dried out from lack of water that it is possible that they no longer have root systems to take up any water . Watering a cymbidium every 2 weeks is a very good way to kill the plant cymbidiums should never repeat NEVER!!!! dry out . If you have read any books that have told that this is the way to grow Cymbids them turf the book into the garbage.
Regardless of what that plant is you will have to take immediate action to save the plant . firstly lets have a look at the root system.
By the way I suspect that your plant is in fact a very dried out Zygopetlum , these plants are grown the same way as for Cymbidiums

[Rhiannon]

OK, that's good to know.
How often do you suggest watering and plant food?

[Cookiemonster]

Okay the first plant looks nearly identical to my zygopetallum, but its probably an oncidium of sorts-
The plant is dry, dehydrated, because either it has no roots (they are dry and dead) and cant take up any water or its badly deprived!!!
How often are you watering!? All you can do is keep an eye on it and hope it pushes out some new bulbs!! Good luck

[Rhiannon]

I've been watering every two weeks.
How often should I be watering?

[Des]

Zygo's grow very well in S/H . Fertilize with a low to medium nitrogen hydroponic feed at about 5 grams to 20 liters of water every time you water. I also use Epsom Salts and Calcium Nitrate in my feed.. You are going into winter now so do not water your plants with water that is colder than 16 deg. C.

[ronaldhanko]

These are definitely not Cymbidiums. They are either something in the Oncidium group or Zygopetalums. It is obvious that you are not watering them enough both from what you've said and from the pictures. You have them in back or a back mix and they should be watered during growth every 2-5 days and when not in growth every 5-7 days. All this depends on where they are growing and the humidity, etc., but a good way to tell if they can use watering is to get used to picking up the pots and getting a "feel" for when they are lighter and need watering or heavier and do not.

[Rhiannon]

OK, that's the information I was looking for.
Thank you!

[calvin_orchidL]

The last picture is an iwanagara apple blossom 'golden elf', and should be treated with cattleya conditions - ie lots of light! good luck - it's a beautiful bloom.

[Rhiannon]

Thank you for telling me that. I had no idea.
Any other tips are greatly appreciated!

Originally Posted by calvin_orchidL

The last picture is an iwanagara apple blossom 'golden elf', and should be treated with cattleya conditions - ie lots of light! good luck - it's a beautiful bloom.