Question
Sick Cymbidium Orchid
Hi, I have purchased a Cymbidium orchid today. This plant is about 3ft tall & has been planted in a 12 inch pot with 5 bulbs. I have determined that the medium is old. This plant has very yellow leaves & bulbs. With black burn marks on the plant were the leaves meet the bulbs. I have found that this also has bad root rot. The flower is in bloom with one spike. I am concernd the pant will not servive over the next few weeks. What should I do? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jenn
AnswerJennifer, I would cut back on the watering and allow the plant to finish its flowering. It is likely that the plant had been exposed to too much direct sunlight too quickly. Provide more shade as well as less water. The pseudobulbs look healthy and are maturing. Try to hold off on a complete repotting until new growth appears. As an interim measure, you can carefully remove some of the old potting mix and add fresh potting mix without unpotting the plant or distrubing its growth.
