Quote:
Originally Posted by nlm2951
Hi Orchidsamore: My shadecloth is pulled very good and the plastic to protect them from rain and cold.I have lost a lot of the oncidums, I noticed that the roots were dry and the pseudobulbs were soft and shriveled, leaves drop, turn yellow. I had mentioned this to other people, they don't know I have an orchid house, very good done, I take good care the orchids, my friend have them with no care at all, and they are ok, I spray for fertilizing,fungal and insects.They are inpotting medium of lava rocks and ch, good drain.Whats going on with them?
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Hi nlm, I know this question was directed to orchidsamore, but I thought I'd give you my 2 cents. Hope that's ok.
My Oncidiums like it only slightly dryer than my Phals. It may be the ratio you're using with lava rock and coco husk. For my Oncidiums, I have a few in clay pots with the bottom half charcoal only, and the top half 9/1 ratio of chc and charcoal. I have found that they like to stay relatively moist, but if I don't put charcoal in the bottom half the roots that reach the bottom will rot, even if I let the top dry out completely (which would be too dry for the new roots near the surface). So with my setup I only water once the top inch is dry, this way I know it is still somewhat moist underneath but not enough to rot the roots. For me that is every 2-3 days in summer, and every 4-5 days in winter.
Basically, I think the trick with Oncidiums is the growing roots like to stay moist but not damp, and the mature roots like to dry out a bit between waterings. Hence, the charcoal on bottom, and chc on top. My
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