The base of a Cym. turned black :(

[norris]

A friend made me a com-pot of two noid Cym varieties, I've had them over a year. Both plants made nice new growth this past spring. I went to water last night, I noticed all the sudden, one growth has turned black at the base. What should I do ?

[Catcym]

Did you water into axis of the Cym ? It seemed like it has water rot. I don't know what else you can do. Water rot is not fatal. Try not to water at night; but do it in the morning so the plant has time to dry before night. Good luck !

[jay]

Sorry to hear about your Cyms. You did say "I went to water them last night." Do you normally water at night? This can cause rot when the air cools. It is best to water them in the morning or at least early enough that they can air dry before sunset. Not sure if that is what is wrong, just something I noticed in your post.

As for the black, I think you would want to remove any area with the rot. I would wait to see what a couple of other members think since I don't have much experience with Cyms.

[norris]

Thanks for the replies Jay and Catcym, as a matter of fact, my work schedule changed, and I've been watering at night the past few weeks, so that may be the problem... I guess that will have to stop.

[solay]

Yup, that is definitely rot from water sitting in the center of the new growth. You'll find that the leaves will easily pull off now. Basically that new growth will die. It won't kill your plant but I would cut that part off the rest of the plant. You don't want it to spread to the roots.

Water early in the day or if you must water at night, make sure you tilt the plant to remove the water that has collected in the centers.

I water mine from overhead and seldom get rot due to the breeze drying the water before nightfall. Hope this helps.

[Ron]

Hi
From the photo it looks cactus to me. If the plants was mine I would remove the lot from the pot.
Cut all dead back-bulbs off the dead plant side and try to save the new growth on the other side and repot into a fresh mix.
I always try to water in the morning and for some reason I can not water it waits until the morning I can.
I suspect the potting mix is long passed its use by date also, this can lead to root problems on new growth trying to get established
Best of luck
Ron

[norris]

Thanks Solay, and Ron, I think I will be taking it out of the pot this week. Ron, it's not too late in the growing season to repot?

[Ron]

Hi. Not to sure what the season is in your area.
It is mid winter here (maybe a frost or 2 only)
I know it is best to do in spring but things go wrong all the time.
autumn is ok.
I do all my cymbidiums before the new roots start to grow in very early spring in Australia.
About early to mid september.
"But" if thing s go wrong I would do it any time but in winter with heavey frost No!.
here in winter it would be ok at a pinch but I would let every thing dry out first.
Repot and be very carefull with the watering.
Now my 2 cents worth. looking at the state it is in I would throw it in the bin and buy a fresh new plant in spring.
Cymbids are so cheep it is not worth all the trouble to try and rescue such plants. Most likely it will take another 2 or 3 years to flower anyway.
If you live in Aussie land I would give a freebee to you.
sorry for the harsh comment but that is what I would do.
Cheerio
Ron.

[norris]

No need to be sorry for the comment, I appreciate your honesty. Since it was a gift from a friend, I will give it a look this week.

[solay]

Norris, your Cym. is still OK in my opinion. I wouldn't throw it out. Like I said, you need to cut off the blacken part and re-pot. I also would remove and cut off all dead and mushy roots while I'm at it. That plant is large enough that it will re-bloom relatively soon. I'd say a year tops.
I live in Vallejo, CA and it's still OK to divide Cyms. now since the orchids just finished blooming recently. I've re-potted and divided as late as September and they do just fine.

[norris]

Thanks Solay I definitely wont throw it out, as it was a gift from a friend, so I'm going to do my best to get it back on track!