CSA-Journal-2016-04
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Ask the Experts<br />
A new question and answer section in the <strong>CSA</strong> <strong>Journal</strong>. Ask us any questions you may have<br />
about cymbidiums, paphiopedilums, phragmipediums or any other cool-growing orchids. We<br />
will answer your questions in the next issue of the <strong>Journal</strong>.<br />
Submit your questions by email to cymbidiumsocietyjournal@gmail.com<br />
Why do the leaves of my hybrid<br />
cymbidiums with Cym. devonianum in<br />
the background quickly turn brown at<br />
the tip? Hybrids of other species get the<br />
same regimen and remain green.<br />
Fig. 1 Cym. devonianum hybrid with brown<br />
leaf tips.<br />
Answer: Cymbidium devonianum and its hybrids<br />
are extremely sensitive to water quality.<br />
If the water you’re giving your plants<br />
has more than about 20 parts per million of<br />
dissolved, solids, then it’s possible that the<br />
leaves will turn brown at the tips. This is<br />
especially true if the dissolved solids have a<br />
significant amount of sodium.<br />
There are several ways this can be<br />
improved. There is a varying tolerance to<br />
total dissolved solids from plant to plant,<br />
so when purchasing plants from among a<br />
large selection of Cymbidium devonianum<br />
plants, look for the one with little or no<br />
browning of the leaf tips. Also, for any<br />
given plant, this can be reduced over time<br />
by using higher quality water. Rain water<br />
could be saved and used for these sensitive<br />
plants, or if one has a reverse osmosis<br />
system for drinking water, that water could<br />
also be used for these plants. These plants<br />
should also be given less fertilizer than<br />
plants that have no tendency to leaf tip<br />
browning.<br />
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