King Arthur Cym. In trouble? - Orchid Board

Matorchid · #1 10-10-2014, 02:32 PM

hello again everyone,
I'm here with another question about one of my orchids it's the king Arthur Cymbidium. I don't seem to know what is actually going on with this guy. I repotted him and he never really seem to come out of the stress of that when things start to turn brown. I went and put him outside with the Dendrobiums and he perked up a little bit then things progressively got worse. Now, his first PB is now totally brown almost black and the second one has turned the same color with no leaves on them whatsoever. As for the growth seems to look fine I don't know what to do about this guy. As far as new growth I haven't seen any I haven't seen any new roots or anything. Is it downtime for these orchids ?

Matorchid · #2 10-10-2014, 02:35 PM

Matorchid · #3 10-10-2014, 02:37 PM

And and another and this is after I reported him for the second time this year

LizB88 · #4 10-10-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matorchid

And and another and this is after I reported him for the second time this year

Are the Pb soft? Some cim pb will turn dark when they are getting old but still firm. After you re-potted the second time how did the roots look like.

If the pb are soft you may be dealing with rot.

usually you re-pot when you see new growth.

Also what do you feed the plant. I notice that my cimbidiums love kelp once per month, when I sue it in combination with a little Epsom salt (Every 6 watering)they really perk up.

Cym Ladye · #5 10-13-2014, 01:31 PM

It is not uncommon for a plant with poor or no roots to lose the leaves on the oldest bulbs, which is what your photos show. I do not think it was necessary to repot again, unless it was to remove the old rotten roots from the BBs, which by the way, look normal considering a root loss. I see no sign of black rot. New growth will develop but it may take time as the newest growth continues to get strength from the BBs on the plant.

A well balanced fertilizer would be a help. If you can find Dynamite slow release at a 13-13-13 ratio to apply 1 tsp to the top of a 1 gal pot, I think it would be the easiest for you to work with. Try Home Depot. Each time you water the fertilizer will supply nutrients to the plant.

Cyms can be grown outside all year in the SF Bay area and only protected from the occasional freezing nights in the winter. If you are more toward the Sacramento Valley they need to be protected from excess heat as well and any freezing temps.

If you wish to continue your interest in Cyms, have you investigated any of the three Cymbidium Society of America Branches in Northern California? One in Sacramento, one in Oakland and the largest CSA branch in San Mateo. Just Google Cymbidium Society of America for more info.

As an aside, most orchid genera are heterosexual, no "hims" or "hers", regardless of the name of the hybrid.

Bulbofett · #6 10-13-2014, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

As an aside, most orchid genera are heterosexual, no "hims" or "hers", regardless of the name of the hybrid.

I had no idea orchids were attracted to people of the opposite sex. I guess I need to be careful around my male Catasetums. I did hear some of them shoot pollen

Cym Ladye · #7 10-14-2014, 07:08 PM

Cyms. actually are only sexually attracted to other orchids in the Cymbidium Alliance, so in that regard, you are safe.

However, they can be the cause of love affairs often causing marital problems if the spouse is not made aware of this attraction and equal time devoted to them too!

Matorchid · #8 10-21-2014, 08:47 AM

I am back, I know it's been awhile and when I originally posted this thread I very concerned and now things have gotten worse.
The BBs were stiff and to squeeze, but now the middle BBC has soft and rotten. No funny smell, or weird juices just soft, while the first BB still is quite firm. I still have not seen any new growth, almost seems like it is stunted or something.
I am watering it 2 times a week cause by the time I get to it it and media is totally dry. I alternate ferts. On two watering times I use better gro grow formula, on third watering I use BG blooming formula, on the other watering times I use seaweed kelp formula I think it's like 25/35/15. I know it's not dynamic gro, or kelpmax, once I can afford to get those.
As far as the society's go, I just can't afford to join one at the moment, so I haven't gone to one.
I hope I can keep this thing alive, I'm very intrested in the greenish color looking orchids(there is somethis get about that bright green that fascinates me kinda like people looking for the blue,or the legendary black orchid)
Should this thing be in a 1 gallon pot at this stage of the game? If yes should I just drop pot it, so not to touch roots again or just leave it4" Sq see thru pot and hope everything will work out.
I wanna thank you all for being patient with me!
Well hope you all have good days.

Cym Ladye · #9 10-21-2014, 05:36 PM

It appears as if black rot may have gotten started in the new growth and is passing through the plant. If the bulb next is soft, try splitting it open, sprinkling the split with cinnamon and letting it breathe. Having the middle bulb go soft is not a good sign for the survival of this plant at this point.

Is there a black leaf in the center of the newest growth?

No, do not move up to a 1 gal. I suspect you have no viable roots. Stop the fertilizer for same reason.

You do not have to join a society the minute you walk in the door. Many people visit several societies in their area and then decide. Some societies are not expensive either. GCCG in San Mateo, Ca for instance, is only $10/year. Can't beat that, and think of all the people you will meet with many of the same problems you might have?

Also being able to visually have contact with the sick plant makes all the difference for a working remedy if possible.

Bulbofett · #10 10-21-2014, 05:57 PM

I joined my local society for $20 per year, which is cheap compared to the AOS which I just got done paying for 2 years of membership for $75! Thank goodness for student ID

I didn't have to join my society if I didn't want to. They were just excited that I was there at all. I went to a few meetings before realizing that the money helps to pay for the speakers that come. More members means more speakers.

If you don't get the help you need from your local orchid society, I'll eat my hat. Seriously, GO! You'll be so happy you did.