Question
Leaf tips are black, and also black from the bulbs and continue up the leaf about 3 inches. Some have black spots in the middle of the leaf. HELP.  It's a beautiful yellow flower I really love.

Answer
Hello Sande,

Black leaf tips on cymbidiums and other orchids is usually caused by excess salt build up within the potting media.  Salts can be from overfertilizing or from your water supply or both.  It also can be due to the potting media having broken down and thus holding and concentrating the salts.  Salts not only cause black leaf tips but it can also kill off roots within the pot.  

Black areas at the base of the leaf could be a fungus that is due to watering from overhead.  Black spots on the leafs could be from sun burn caused by intense heat or light.  Or worse it could be due to a bacterial infection, if it continues to grow in size it probably is bacteria.  To remedy this problem, remove any affected areas of the leaf, cutting well below the infection.  Also, be sure to use a clean sterile cutter to make each cut, you don't want to inadvertently spread the infection by transfering it with the cutter.  I use commercial grade single-edged razor blades for this purpose that I buy at paint stores.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.