Question
Hello,
I have a cymbidium orchid.  It is almost entirely brown...looks like it is nearly dead.  I had it in a shady spot in the house and let it dry out a lot between waterings.  I just read that was wrong for it.

Can it be saved?  It was amazingly beautiful...green leaves, pink flowers.  It has about 3 "blub" like things that used to have long green stalks/leaves.  Now they've all turned brown and some that are green at the tips are brown at the bottom and fall off.  It is in a plastic container.  I live in CO - very dry here.  It came from the grocery store - gift from my husband.

I want to do whatever I can to save it.  I hope it isn't too late.  There is one small...maybe 3/4 inch green thing that sort of looks like a root growing out of the base of one of the "bulb" like things on the plant.  It's about the only sign of life.

Thanks,
Sarah

Answer
Hello Sarah,

Oh my, from your description of the cymbidium, it does not look very good I'm afraid.  But!  There's always a "but" isn't there?  (grin)  

But if the brown you see on the bulbs is really the dead leaf remnants and the bulbs are still green and alive under them, there is definitely some hope of saving it.  But (there I go again), it will take time and patience on your part.  

First, remove it from the pot and clean off as much of the potting material from the roots.  Since there are no green leaves on them, cut off all the roots from the bulbs.  Squeeze the bulbs to make sure they are still firm or at least somewhat firm.  Separate the bulbs so they are single bulbs, you can either pull and twist them apart or cut the short connecting rhizome at the bases.  Cym leaves alternate from side to side starting from the bottom upwards so starting from the bottom, split the brown leaf remnants in the middle then pull the halves apart to take them off.  You mentioned one bulb had some kind of growth at the base, be careful when handling that bulb as that could be a new bulb growth starting.  

After you have cleaned off all of the old dead leaves, look the bulbs over for any signs of rot or infections.  Discard any that do show signs.  Get a large ziploc baggie, place a little moistened (not sopping wet, just a little moist) potting material or even a wad of moist paper towels into it then put the bulbs in and close the baggie.  Put it in a warm shady place, check for any signs of life every few weeks.  If all goes well, in 3 to 6 months you will see some or all of the bulbs sprouting new growths from latent growth eyes near the base of the bulbs!  Wait until the new growths have roots over 2 inches long then pot them in small 3 inche pots filled with orchid mix.  Keep the mix barely moist and they will take root and grow.  

I have to warn you that this whole process, if all goes well, will take from 3 to 5 years before you will see them in bloom.  In the mean time, ask your nice hubby to buy you another one.  (grin)  

Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.