Cym."little black sambo" Winter watering

[Cym Ladye]

Mike,

The primary reason for new Cym. growths rotting in winter relates to water: the media remains too wet or humidity is too high. Plants are not growing rapidly during the lower light and lower temperatures of winter and therefore not absorbing high amounts of water from the air or the media. Evaporation of moisture from the leaves is also less, even if air movement is adequate.

Try lowering the humidity to 50%, especially on the coldest days and also try cutting back the water schedule during the coldest periods. Check also to be sure your plant is not under a condensation drip, as this can also cause a problem with rot.

Both Cym. canaliculatum and Cym. madidum are epiphytes, growing in or on certain trees in their native habitats. In my experience, Cym. madidum is far more tolerant of higher amounts of water and a higher humidity than Cym. canaliculatum. This is why the Cym. madidum hybrids, without the addition of Cym. canaliculatum, tend to do so well in Florida and the South Eastern states where these conditions occur naturally.



CL