Cymbidium Problems

[fancyspot25]

I posted earlier on here, but I had the wrong name for the orchid that I have. I have a cymbidium that I inherited from my grandmother who used to show her orchids, and the orchid is probably 16-18 years old. I transferred the orchid from my parents house to my house and the orchid is just done blooming, and the problem I am having is that the ends of the leaves are turning brown, and then the whole leaf eventually turns brown. I added humidity, and moved the plant to a different location. I dont know what else to do....The other thing is that the plant really needs to be split, and I am not sure how to do that. Any suggestions or answers are more than welcome. Thank you!

[Ellen]

I am guessing that this is a very large plant. My suggestion is that as soon as the weather is warm enough, you put it outside. I don't know what the weather is like in S Dakota, but your cymbidium should be OK as long as the night temp doesn't go much below freezing. If they're outside they can take full sun, which promotes blooming. As for dividing a big ol' cymbidium you may need a chain saw! Maybe if and when it needs repotting you will just want to put it in the same or a slightly larger pot with some new medium. Sounds like you have a great specimen plant!

[jerrymeola]

Ellens suggestion of a chain saw is not totally a joke. If the plant is very large and dividing is desired, then cutting through the roots with a knife or saw is probably the only way it is done. Commercially we cut roots drasticly all the time, but it freightening for a hobbist.

Cymbidiums are ground orchids that want a lot of sun and cool even cold temperatures. They are almost inpossible to grow and flower in Florida heat but should do great for you.

Yours is probably suffering a little from moving, being in the house and being very big. It probably can use more water than you are giving it. A big pot bound plant of any genus needs more regular water because so little remains in the pot after watering. You might consider soaking it is a pail once a week. This allows enough time for the water to soak into the center roots. Just pouring water over the orchid when it is pot bound can fail to get water into the center roots

A plant this big can lose a number of leaves without noticing it. It should pick right up when you get it outside.

[Ellen]

Fancyspot, you have pm in response to yours.