Cymbidium seedlings

[kaymarie]

I deflasked some cyms in Sept 2010, they were growing nicely with nice fat white roots. We have been through some very hot and windy weather and they were looking the worse for wear with some leaves turning brown so I tipped them out to have a look at them and from the bulb down the root was only hanging by a thread for an inch or so and then some white root below, though in some cases the root had rotted . Have I overwatered, underwatered, or over feed? I pretty sure I haven't overwatered. I am growing in bark, perlite and blue metal. Can anyone help please. Thanks

[Bolero]

Hey welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you may have overfed if the leaf tips are burnt looking and the roots look bad. Often rotting does occur due to overwatering (that is the main reason).

How much do you water? How much do your fertilise?

The potting medium sounds ok though. If they are seedlings just deflasked then I would have only been fertilising very very lightly, much less than mature plants.

[orchids4me]

As the member above me noted fertilizer for flask babies/seedlings should be weak. Have you been flushing the pot every 3rd or 4th watering? And the metal pot doesn't breath so it will keep the roots wet which could cause root rot especially cooler weather. Does that metal pot have adequate drainage? And what about air flow around the plants to help them dry a bit by night fall?
Just trouble shooting some cultural needs of these babies and for adults also.
Good luck
Emmaye

[Ron]

Hi, Sounds like you have them in a large compot.
We have been through some terrible hot weather this year and for the last few year. 45 + C
I hate Cymbidiums in compots, very hard to control watering.
For the last 12 years or so I place from flasks into min tubes 2 inches Sq.
I per pot using mini nuggets only (5mm)
First 3 months or so I only feed with seasol (sea weed extract.
Then other organic types such as Charlie Carp etc.
Beyond 5 months of age I use a slow realise fertilizer but on 2 pellets per pot
If you are up in the tropics of WA far to humid and hot!

[kaymarie]

Thanks for your comments guys. Yes they are in a compot, but only a small plastic 10cm pot using the small bark +. I was fertilising once a week with 1/2 strength fertiliser but then added some slow release, probably added too much and they got a big hit all at once. I am in Perth so have had most days over 35C, plus also we are having strong drying winds so am watering everyday at the moment. I don't think I am watering too much because of the temps/wind so it must be the fertiliser.
To Emmaye, the blue metal is a type of rock over here in Oz.

[Ron]

I was fertilizing once a week with 1/2 strength fertilizer but then added some slow release, probably added too much and they got a big hit all at once.

Most likely the culprit, big leaning curve in deflasking but in saying that, one of the easiest is the Cymbidium, you have EZy orchids in Perth I think from memory and they grow Cymbids in the multi thousands.