Cymbidium issue

[The Orchidist]

This is my first cymbidium , i got it in january and it had not been blooming for me, i put it into a larger black pot and using spag moss ,roots seem white solid and large root mass, i am wondering why all my leaf tips keep turning black, i have trimmed the tips off a few times. But within weeks they are black again , there are a few new growths from the base , just not sure if its too wet , too much nutes or if i have feeding schedule off.
Any suggestions would be good







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[orchidsarefun]

I don't believe sphag moss is a good potting material for Cyms. Medium bark is much better. Usually brown tips are caused by too much fertiliser - this could be the case with your cym as it is difficult to flush fertiliser salts from sphagnum, especially in such a large container. I would repot into medium bark, with 10% sphagnum interspersed.

[silken]

I agree about the sphagnum not being real good for Cyms. As well, I think the pot is too big. Cymbidiums are pretty good feeders when in active growth. Mine aren't in real active growth until summer when they are out in the sun and warm air. I would only feed lightly until summer is here.

[The Orchidist]

Thanks for the info, i will repot and use medium bark perhaps go to smaller pot size too. I had a feeling the moss was to wet, for the cym .

[silken]

Originally Posted by sg2100

Thanks for the info, i will repot and use medium bark perhaps go to smaller pot size too. I had a feeling the moss was to wet, for the cym .

I like a pot that drains well also. Good luck with this plant. If it is a standard Cym. it will like to be out doors right until close to freezing in the fall which initiates the bloom spikes. Don't let it freeze but it can come close to freezing. Mine bloom every winter doing this.

[The Orchidist]

So the cyms can take the full sun while it preps for bloom in the fall ?. or is it best in shaded area , i am growing under metal halide 400w , but i am assuming that,s not bright enough and warm enough to produce those spikes .
I am just concerned that if i leave it outside , that some crazy bug might hitch a ride and come indoors in the fall when i bring it in ..lol

[silken]

I put my Cyms out in spring once risk of frost is gone. I put them in those little wrought iron black stands. You can get them cheap at Walmart or maybe Home Depot. That way they are a foot or two off the ground. I have them against a garage wall that faces south. There are some trees and shrubs so it gets a lot of heat and light but not full sun all day. If you are moving it to a brighter spot, do it slowly so it can acclimate. These plants need the cool drops in temp to initiate bloom. Sometimes just the cooler evenings do it and I have small spikes by end of July or Aug. But I still leave them out until it is close to freezing temps at night. And then in winter mine are still grown fairly cool and with good light. If the spikes have already started maybe room temp is OK but I don't grow them in the house as they are in a heated greenhouse in winter. warm does not produce spikes on these guys.

[Cym Ladye]

Sphagnum moss is not the best media for Cyms as it holds both salts and water too long. I recommend a 40/40 mix of small and medium bark with 20% large perlite for aeration. If you have access to Orchiata bark, that can be used straight. Gauge the size of the bulbs and use a container with adequate drainage which will allow for two year's bulb growth, or about 1"-2" from plant to sides of pot.

Silken is on the right track. Cyms are not house plants as there is not enough light, air movement, humidity or drop in temps. (Some Asian species being the exception). These plants grow best outside for as long as possible if you are in a part of the world where temps get well below 27F and a hard freeze in the winter.

Cyms. like 50% humidity, and 50% light during the day, all year. Morning sun and afternoon shade work the best or a 50% shaded location all day long if that is an option. A south wall is not recommended unless it is shaded as that generally gets too much sun and heat.

Fertilize all year, weakly/weekly. While the plants are in bloom, they are initiating new growth; While in active growth, they are initiating bloom spikes. Fertilizer concentration can decrease during the cold winter months either because the plants are outside and getting rain, or just because the temps are cold and the nutrients will not be absorbed as readily.

Good Luck with your plant,

Cym Ladye