Spots on cymbidium

I have now brought my cymbidium indoors for the winter, after summering it outside (in a shady spot). But I may put it outdoors again, if we have any mild, wet days.

Fluctuating late summer temperatures are supposed to stimulate flowering. We shall see – it isn’t until after Christmas (usually) that flowering stems appear.

Cymbidiums usually produce their flower spikes in the middle of winter

But while the leaves are wonderfully firm after being exposed to the elements, the young growth (brighter green than the old) is showing dark spotting. This is almost certainly not the dreaded mosaic virus (which can only enter plants via wounds) but merely a response to cold. As the leaves are evergreen, these blemishes will persist – not really anything to worry about, but they are unsightly, and these parts of the plant will be slightly more vulnerable to disease. I shall have to watch it.

Tags: cold, cymbidium, cymbidium flowers, flower spikes, fluctuating temperatures, leaf spots, orchid flowers, orchid leaves, orchids, plant viruses