The cymbidium I bought about 6 weeks ago looks healthy so far and still has flowers on it, except the bottom few leaves are turning brown starting at the tips. It is inside with bright indirect light. I let it dry out between waterings, and water about once a week or 9-10 days. When it feels kind of light, I water. I'm having trouble figuring out what is enough or too much water for this plant. Thanks for your help.

(Sunday, May 23, 2010 01:38 PM)Cynthia Miller Wrote:  The cymbidium I bought about 6 weeks ago looks healthy so far and still has flowers on it, except the bottom few leaves are turning brown starting at the tips. It is inside with bright indirect light. I let it dry out between waterings, and water about once a week or 9-10 days. When it feels kind of light, I water. I'm having trouble figuring out what is enough or too much water for this plant. Thanks for your help.

First, I apologize someone didn't get back to you sooner. I actually started to reply to this post then got called away and never finished the response! :)

Leaves turning brown can indicate several either natural progression of the aging of the plant or it can indicate either UNDER watering, OVER watering or Over fertilizing.

First, from what you describe, you may be under watering your plant. You want the medium to remain evenly moist without being water logged or sogging wet, and with cymbidiums, especially in flower, you don't ever want the medium to completely dry out.

Leaves on older pseudo bulbs will normally turn brown and dry up or fall off - leaving the bulbs bare. Do not remove these "back" bulbs, as they store food and energy for the plant (think of them as the plant's fat reserves!).

Leaves on NEW growths should not turn brown or fall off nor should they turn brown at the tips. Brown tips can mean UNDER watering, OVER WATERING but most often mean the plant is getting TOO MUCH fertilizer or the fertilizer that is being used is too strong.

Are you fertilizing?

Next, I'm guessing by now your flowers are done. You should cut the flower stalk off and place your plant outside in a bright area (not in direct sun). Cymbidiums are NOT indoor plants and will not get enough light to rebloom. Spring and summer is when cycmbidiums grow and store the important energy they'll need to flower and flower well.

If the plant isn't outgrowing the pot (they like to be tight but not so much so that water can't get to the medium) and the medium isn't soggy and stays wet for a long period of time, you probably don't have to repot. You should repot every 2 years or so.

Cymbidiums LOVE bright light... and can take ALMOST full sun (full direct sun at noon will usually BURN the plant.. and the plant, especially after being in a dark living room will need to be gradually introduced to brighter light). The MORE light you give your cymbidium without the leaves burning, the more flowers it will produce!

Make sure you fertilize with a cymbidium specific fertilizer with EVERY watering (once a month or so, just FLUSH the plant with regular water to wash out the extra salts/fertilizers so they don't build up). In the fall you can use a bloom fertilizer to encourage flowers and not just green vegetative growth.

I like GROW MORE fertilizers and they are available at OSH at Capitol and other nurseries. ANY fertilizer is better than none, but common fertlizers can burn your cymbidiums. Make sure you get one that has micronutrients and that is specifically for cymbiums but that said, some people have success with other fertilizers. It all depends on your watering conditions.

You can suppliment your fertilizing schedule with pelleted slow release pellets such as NUTRICOTE or DYNAMITE. Do not use OSMOCOTE as it can burn your plant and will release too much fertilizer, especially during the cooler months.

Your cymbium will take temps down to slightly below freezing.,. but protect it from hard freezes. That said, cymbidiums DO NEED a cool period in order to flower spike - and your house just wont' allow that cool temp nor sufficient light. Under lightly shaded trees but as bright of light up to full sun is best.

You can cut off the leaves that are turning brown (if just the tip is brown you can cut this off but leave the rest of the leaf) or you can simple detach it.. they'll detach when they're ready. Use a sterlile NEW razor blade to cut off the brown tips and put a little neosporin on the cut and that will keep it from turning brown!

I hope that helps answer your questions. If you can upload a picture it might help.