Question

Cymbidium  

Orchid   I have a cymbidium which has recently started to lose leaves (IMG_0590.jpg). I cannot seem any fungi or insects and actually this is on its own in a room. There is no water in the pot and I have now and then water it with a orchid fertilser. It was beautiful up to a month ago, efter lsoing the flowers 6 months ago. Any suggestions?
The other orchid is just dying (IMG_0591.jpg). Nothing is helping. I have added fertiliser, new bark and it was even repotted in a shop ca 9 months ago. Help, my wife wants to throw it away!

Answer
Simon, first to the cymbidium. Cymbidiums generally go through a rest period following flowering. If they continue to be fed and watered during the rest period, they will send up new growth (thinking it's spring#. This new growth comes at a time when days are shortening and generally results in smaller and smaller growths. Many new growers are unaware that many orchids have growth and rest cycles and these need to be respected. Same for repotting.  Orchids should be repotted #usually in the spring# when new growth is present. This should provide a boost to the new growth. While this plant definitely needs to be repotted, cut back on the watering, eliminate the feeding to force it into its natural cycle and repot it #probably in the spring# when new growth starts.

The second plant appears to be a member of the oncidium alliance and likely has root rot and needs repotting in fresh fir-bark based orchid potting mix #especially if it hasn't been recently repotted).  Be sure all pots you use have many drainage holes in the bottom and do not let the pot stand in water. This plant still has two of its pseudobulbs which provide the basis for new growth.  When you repot, remove the old wrinkled pseudobulb and its roots as it is dead. Oncidium alliance hybrids prefer bright light and warm temperatures but gradually increase the light level.  When you repot the plant you probably should use a smaller pot as these hybrids prefer to be tightly potted.