Oncidium type orchid with rotting backbulb

[AWade]

Hi, I was gifted an Oncidium type orchid yesterday and it is in pretty bad shape. It’s got 3 pseudobulbs that are very shriveled (I’m guessing due to rotted roots). The bulb in the middle is off colored and squishy. Later today when I repot it I’m worried that if I have to cut it off then there will only be one remaining bulb (the newest one). Can an orchid survive off of one pseudobulb?

[Ray]

Yes it can. It may not be a particularly fast grower at first, bit it can definitely survive given the correct care.

[Diane56Victor]

Cutting the squishy bulb off is a must and the lesser of two evils. Leaving it on would pose a higher risk of the plant dying.

Good luck, hope to see further photos of your plant.

[AWade]

That’s great news! As far as care goes, I was thinking about keeping the “healthy” pseudobulb in a more water retentive media like sphagnum moss with some perlite and in bright artificial light. Would this be a good set up to ensure it’s survival? I will have to the flower spike unfortunately, but I know it’s a must when taking care of a sick orchid

[estación seca]

It depends on your conditions. People with warm to hot growing areas (like me) can grow Oncidiums in sphagnum and water by soaking the sphagnum. In cooler areas people need to be more careful and not soak the sphagnum heavily.