Early Leaf Drop in Cymbidums

[StevenU]

Brought my large Cymbidium inside 2 months ago and it started dropping leaves. I've had it for 7 years and I'm used to a leaf or two dropping every month. The leaf drop is accelerating from one or two a week to 5 or 6.

In the past only totally brown leaves would pull off easily, those not quite dead would need to be cut. Since this has started even mostly green leaves with a bit of yellowing drop by themselves.

Noticed today that when I picked up 8 leaves, many were yellowing at the base and the rest of the leaf was pure green. No spotting on the leaves. No Cym or ORSV virus I tested.

Wondering if this is some fungus or bacteria issue?

My cultural practices have not changed from the past and the plant is huge and healthy. It just finishing up blooming on 14 spikes. There were a few bud blasts maybe 1 or 2 on each spike (thought it was the cats at first but that's ruled out). The leaf drop seems to be mostly on this summer's new growths.

[Roberta]

Welcome!

When was the last time you repotted it? If the mix is bad, you may be starting to lose new growths. They will grow in "mud" for quite awhile, but eventually, they do start to lose roots and new growths.

[StevenU]

Thank you, Roberta,

It's been years...it's fully root bound. Hard to even see any media any more it's full of roots.
Been thinking about repotting and now that it's finished blooming it's time to take the chain saw to it, just kidding.

Besides, I have nothing to lose here by repotting.

[Roberta]

No joke... when these turn into monsters, time to gently divide with a sawz-all.

But yes, I think it just needs repotting and dividing. Root-bound is fine (these bloom best just before they break the pot) but I think you have reached the limit where there is just no more room for growth.

[estación seca]

Welcome!

Also look for mealybugs or scale hiding at the bases of leaves in the crevices.