Cymbidium with no leaves and rotted roots.
 

This is my first orchid. I inherited a Cymbidium last year when a friend passed away so it has sentiment attached to it. It had great leaves for a while, then I was told it was not getting enough sun and to put it outside and leave it, which I wish I had never done now. It has now lost all its leaves and today I was going to 'sphag and bag' it as I had found that on various sites but all the roots are rotted. I am not sure if that is the right thing to do. It is really not well but I don't want to give up on it. Can anyone give me some advice?

Sorry, too late. There's nothing to salvage at all.

I understand how heartbreaking that is to lose a plant that was in memory of a friend.

What did the plant not do or look like that you were even given the advice to increase the amount of light and grow it outdoors?

What kind of Cymbidium was it?

There are actually some Cymbidiums that are intermediate to warm growing, and are not cool - intermediate growers nor temperature tolerant.

I can give you 2 examples off the top of my head of Cymbidiums that are warm growing…

1. Cymbidium aloifolium

2. Cymbidium madidum

Don't ever automatically assume that a Cymbidium is a cool to intermediate grower, there are curveballs/oddballs/"odd men out" out there.

Examples like this is why I usually ask the OP's what the species or hybrid name is for the orchid(s) in question, (should it be known in any way at all). I ask the OP's to be specific not because I'm nosy, and want to get up in everyone's business. I ask because if I'm going to give advice, I'm going to make sure they get the right one if I can provide it.

I am trying to see closely the photo..is there a pseudobulb there, even a very wrinkled one? It will be a very long shot but you can still try to put it in bark mix with some sphag moss, then place container in shade. Water lightly, and wait. Pseudobulbs have dormant eyes. Not sure if your plant still have some energy for it. I see lots of roots, are the roots still firm to your touch?

Cymbidiums are such tough orchids as a rule..and sometimes I also get surprised at the tenacity of some orchids to live.

It will be a very long wait if it will do anything at all, and sometimes, it is just better to start anew with a new plant, and just dedicate new plant to honor your friend.

Good luck!

First of all, are there any hard pseudobulbs left? If not, the plant will not survive. If, on the other hand, there are any or even only one hard bulb, carefully remove ALL roots from the the bulb so all that remains is the bare bulb or BB (back bulb) for short. Also carefully remove any bracts (sheathing) on the outside of the BB. Then place upright in a zip type plastic bag with a handful of damp orchid mix covering 1/3 of the BB and close. Place in warm but not sunny area in the house and see if it sends out a growth. It may take 6 months but it will be worth the effort to save the plant if it has emotional attachments for you. It will also be good training in starting healthy BBs for your future collection. :biggrin:

I usually only put two BBs in a bag and separate them. However, in this case, if there are two attached, I would leave them together for more strength and the possibility of getting at least one new growth.

If the BBs are soft and squishy, all bets are off.

:goodluck: