Help for Cymbidium devonianum
 

I acquired a nice-sized Cymbidium devonianum last spring. It was planted in a plastic basket filled with NZ sphagnum moss, and when I transplanted it into a slightly larger pot (I did plant it high so that the spikes will hopefully not bury themselves in the pot) I simply took it out of the basket it was in and placed it into its new home with more of the same kind of moss.

The plant is growing two beautiful new leads and is producing lots of thick white roots. But the tips of some of the older leaves are beginning to die back. I've read that this species requires very clean water and lots of it, and since I water with RO water, I assumed this would be clean enough. But since it's also a cymbidium, and therefore (by orchid standards) a "heavy" feeder, I've been fertilizing it regularly over the summer. I'm assuming that the leaf die back is from fertilizer salts in the water (although I'm not sure why since I'm only fertilizing at a strength of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, and the plant is only fertilized once per week and then flushed out with plain RO water).

Has anyone else experienced the same leaf tip die back with this species? How often, and at what strength, do you fertilize? The plant is growing nicely, and I keep the moss pretty moist (not dripping wet, but it doesn't dry out completely either). But those half dozen or so dead leaf tips on the older growths are bothering me!

Thanks!

Steve

My collection has a lot of devonianum hybrids and they are growing. I dont want anyone to think I am an expert with this species however the one thing I would do is get the plant our of that spagnum moss.
It needs to be a well drained media - Have had terrible results with all cymbidiums in the stuff (although a commercial grower I know uses it) If I did use it I would use it very loose and never reuse it. My own mistake has been growing the devonianums in too bright light - apparently from what I can find out they like to be a little shady. Thats about all I can offer - admit to being a little green when it comes to devonianum. Hope a real expert chimes in.

I have also heard that the water has to be very pure. I have also noticed leaf tip burn with my
Cym. Devonianium & my Cymbidium sikkimense which is supposed to be similar to the Devonianium.
Unfortunately I just use regular city water which has alot of calicum.

Cym sikkimense Hooker is a synonym for Cym devonianum the accepted name for the species. It is not a different species. The same applies to Cym pumilum and Cym floribundum; Cym grandiflorum and Cym hookerianum, to name but two common ones.

I have heard this before, however, I have 3 plants of each and all three of the devonium are MUCH larger plants.

That is not surprising and why Cym sikkimense carries the varietal Hooker. The flowers of both are reflective of the species devonianum even though the size of the plants may be different. In simple terms, specific species can vary within the general species genetic description or the area in which they are found. Also the all knowing 'lumpers and splitters" love to cause confusion!

CL