Why is my Cymbidium turning yellow at the crown? by O’Dowds Orchids

O’Dowds Orchids Rules on Growing Cymbidiums

·      The main reason your cymbidium is yellowing at the crown and where the leaves begin is too much watering or the roots are staying wet too long. The immediate quick fix is to put it in a net pot. You can see it dry out quickly and you can water when the roots are turning white. Do not water the crown of the Cymbidium. Water around the plant. Let all the water drain out. We water from the bottom and put them in basins for 1 minutes – 2 minutes. One key to root rot is if you have too much media. The media stays wet and keeps the roots wet. Smaller pots where the roots almost touch the sides have just enough media to dry out. I put leca around the side of the cymbidium so that air gets into the pot easily. It has saved many a cymbidium in our greenhouse. Now, we put all our cymbidiums in net pots and sell them that way. This method with net pots, leca or large media around the sides help keep the roots quickly drying out with air circulating. You will find that your cymbidiums will start to really take off growing when they are happy and not too wet. Always water once per week during the summer and feed at least twice per month (half strength). One last tip: DO NOT USE WATER where water softeners are being used in the house, the salt will kill your plant. USE DISTILLED OR RAINWATER and if your area provides good drinking water, tap water will work. )

·      Bright indirect light at all times during the day. Ours are under a porch with shade but the light is all around. We use shade nets if the sun changes position and starts to shine onto the porch. In the winter we have Barina grow lights above and below them. 12 hours per day. We also keep the inside very humid.

·      Overwatering is easy to do. Every area of the U.S. has different humidity and weather. The top inch can be dry but deep down inside the pot it can be soaking wet. Make sure the Cymbidium is dry all the way down. See through pots or net pots help you to see the roots during the winter. You can also gently remove from the pot, don’t disturb the roots, but look at the bottom of the roots and see if they are wet.

·      Water only when near dry. During the winter months you usually can water twice a month. Soak during the winter months only water for one minute by soaking and put up on the shelf and keep it warm in your house at about 70 degrees for a day or two. Again, net pots help during the winter months. Brown roots are wet, pull it out and make sure the roots are wet or dry if you are a beginner.

·      Temperature is key to blooming. They must have highs and lows in temperature to bloom, a 20 degree difference is best from day to night.

·      Many people repot as soon as they get an orchid. Understand this can delay the bloom for that year. Slip potting, where you carefully slip the orchid out, and immediately slip into a similar sized pot, just adding media around the roots and trying not to disturb the roots is the best method. Very little media at the bottom and on sides is best.

·      Media-large, so the plant can get air down inside. A pot with lots of air circulating above and below is best. Large orchiata media is best) or leca.

·      Net pots help a lot in your first couple of Cymbidiums because you can see the roots. Brown swollen roots are wet, white roots are dry. Do not let sun hit the roots.

·      Best of luck. Enjoy. Have fun and you will do great. O’Dowd’s Orchid