Question
My cymbidium orchid is not doing well. I believe I am watering too much but I dont know how to save it now. The flowers are dying and dropping off but they are producing a sticky goo! Please Help!

Answer
Jenn, neither of the symptoms to which you refer are symptoms of a dying cymbidium. Depending upon the type of cymbidium, individual flowers will last 3-6 weeks.  The sticky goo is plant sap which seeps through the conductive tissue of the plant.  It is sticky due to the high sugar concentrations in the plant sap. It should wash off with a mild dish detergent. Because the plant is finishing its flowering cycle, it will soon begin new growth. This is time to repot in fresh orchid potting mix and, as part of that process, check the root health when you unpot the plant.  Any roots that are mushy need to be removed before repotting (only healthy roots are firm). Be sure the pot has lots of drainage holes.  Most plants are lost by overwatering a decaying potting mix so a fresh mix will not only provide good growing conditions for the new growth but will eliminate any concerns about overwatering because with fresh potting mix and good drainage the root zone will not remain excessively wet.  A fir bark potting mix is most desirable as it provides good drainage. Cymbidiums like cool and bright conditions so you can move it outside after frost danger has past.  In the fall, buds will form for spring flowering. Cool nights (40-45 degrees) will help set these buds.  Cymbidiums will tolerate full sun but care must be exercised to gradually increase the light intensity from a partial shad, to bright shade, and then full sun for morning until you expose the plant to full sun for the day.