New to cyms and it's turning brown/dying?

[Gidupxc23]

Hi everyone. I'm new to cyms and only have one.
I bought it a few months ago from a local lady to me whose house it got too big for. She only had it a few months before I got it.
I've noticed a few leaves turning brown and then dying off so I researched and pretty much found that it's just the leaves dying....but now half my plant is gone so I figured something else has to be going on! So I took the plant out of the pot and I'm overwhelmed with the number of roots.... I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm just going to guess that the roots are the problem...they grew too big for their pot. Do I need to cut back roots, and where would be a good idea to start? Remove the dead (?) pseudobulbs? Can I use my coarse blend potting mix I have (I use it for my phals)? (I'm really located in the middle of nowhere and can't get good mix anywhere on a short notice). Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Gidupxc23]

Here is another photo of what happened to its leaves.

[WhiteRabbit]

Links to Cym care/culture here: Basic Cymbidium culture (links)

I don't know what caused those growths to die - the others all seem to look ok. Cyms do grow an insane amount of long roots - but being root bound doesn't generally cause problems like this.

You can cut off the bottom 1/3 of the root mass (use clean, disinfected cutters). Then use something like a chopstick or skewer to poke in between roots and wiggle it around to help loosen the mass. I also use the jet setting on a hose sprayer attachment - and repeat the chop stick and hose as needed.

Hopefully some other members have thoughts as to what caused those growths to die.

[kindrag23]

I am new to CYMS as well. But I am in the same situation as you no local stores with orchid supplies readily on hand. I had to repot mine in miracle gro orchid coarse mix. I am going to add some charcoal to mine just for a little added extra oomph to my mix to help with air flow. Good LUCK with everything else.

[Cym Ladye]

If you really want a great guide for repotting cyms, send a PM and request for the Cymbidium Division and Repotting Guide to goldcoastcymgrowers@gmail.com They have a great printout with all the does and don'ts of repotting Cyms. Many members of the OB have sent for it and found it extremely helpful.

---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

Originally Posted by kindrag23

I am new to CYMS as well. But I am in the same situation as you no local stores with orchid supplies readily on hand. I had to repot mine in miracle gro orchid coarse mix. I am going to add some charcoal to mine just for a little added extra oomph to my mix to help with air flow. Good LUCK with everything else.

If you are in an extremely hot and dry environment, you may want to use a mix which will not dry out as fast as med bark alone. I would add some fine bark on a 50/50 basis with the medium with some perlite, which you should be able to find at a box store. You might also consider the use of a small amount of peat moss, if sphagnum moss is unavailable.

If there are other members on this Forum from hot/dry areas with limited supply sources, perhaps they would chime in on what works for them. You might also post this question on the Repotting Forum of OB. Good Luck.

[tarev]

I have watched in one cymbidium workshop how they divide a rootbound cymbidium. The speaker just chose at least a grouping of 3 to 4 bulbs together, and then chopped straight through. So see your plant and get at least one growing bulb still attached to 3 more, and chop away. The older bulbs will just be there to provide additional energy and support to the still growing new bulb. The other remaining bulbs, if there are many older bulbs, you can choose to give it away to others, or try to root them again, sometimes there are still good dormant eyes remaining. With good growing conditions, it may still develop to new pseudobulbs where potential new spikes will form later.

I grow mini-cymbidiums and during the warmer, drier days, I freely water this plant. It likes a lot of water and can take full sun, though in my area it gets into part shade due to the city trees. If you notice the leaves bleaching, then move it to a more part sun/part shade area. I just use typical bark mix for my media. I find cymbidiums such toughies, they can take our mild winters here very well, and our hot summer temps.

[Cym Ladye]

The important thing in growing any orchid is to assess your conditions and then find growers who have had success under the same or similar conditions. Then after some trial and error you will find out what REALLY WORKS for you.

---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Gidupxc23

Here is another photo of what happened to its leaves.

Are you still losing leaves? This almost looks like a brown rot got started on the newer growth. If you haven't already, gently remove the brown leaves from the young bulbs by splitting them in half and then removing one at a time from the outside to get all the way down to the pseudobulb itself. If the top of the bulb is black, sprinkle it with cinnamon, let it air and hope this stops the problem.