when to repot new oncidiums - Orchid Board

jamesgang · #1 05-17-2008, 04:54 PM

Hello, My name is Jim and I am an orchid addict! I have been in recovery for one day......I am doing pretty good as I don't buy every orchid I see.....at least I made it one whole day. Picked up a Oncda Pacific Bird cross at home depot ( it was an act of mercy!-- they would have killed it!) Question ; In all the care infor I have found I am getting hearing when to repot --do they like to be a little tight or should they have a little bit of room ?

PS You folks have most helpful ---so very much to learn! working on how to set up a good arrangement to photo doc my babies----took a Phal to work and put in the front office and I have been amazed how everyone has enjoyed the show (Dtps Long Pride Fancy) Jim

orchidexpress · #2 05-19-2008, 04:19 PM

Here's my motto, 'When in doublt, underpot'.
Don't plant them in too large a pot as they will not have time to dry out between waterings. Remember when you water them, give them a long dring. Then they need to dry out in between waterings. Certain mixes will break down.
Go out at Home Depot or Lowe's....or order it online. It's a paperback that taught me most off all I know. It's called, Ortho, All About Orchids. It is also endorsed by the American Orchid Society. What I liked the most about it is, they have a paragraph and then a picture.

Happy Growing and welcome to the OrchidBoard!

Ross · #3 05-19-2008, 04:22 PM

Besides Lee's info above, I would add, use the largest bark mix you can find to get the maximum air to the roots. Besides this, if you have nice open airy mix, you should be prepared to water daily. I like to use a weak fertilizer mix (MSU blend mixed to 125 ppm nitrogen) plus 2 drops per gallon mix of KLn root stimulent with every single watering. This will assure lots of roots. This is the foundation that will support your plant in the future.

Lagoon · #4 05-19-2008, 05:05 PM

hi Jim,
I grow my oncids in sphag moss and coarse rok. I allow 30% of room inside the pots for new root growth.

orchidexpress · #5 05-19-2008, 05:12 PM

I grow in a mix that does not break down, Ross. I have way too many orchids to repot. I must use bark for the lady slippers and papillios.

Ross · #6 05-19-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidexpress

I grow in a mix that does not break down, Ross. I have way too many orchids to repot. I must use bark for the lady slippers and papillios.

Please explain!

jamesgang · #7 05-22-2008, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the info and ideas from all!! Must admit I stumbled into Ray's web page and jumped into the s/h method to try out --The local Lowe's orchids come in packed spag and then potted in a clear glass pot with no drainage! I just assumed that something had to change so after dropping $$$ on bark mixes I came back to OB section on s/h and W-O-W ! Got a brain jam just reading all the s/h stuff---Think I will "test" opposing method by leaving some Phals in the bark as they don't need repotting right now and take a few of the Ocidiums in spag and move them to s/h -- Jim

Dorothy · #8 05-22-2008, 10:59 AM

Jim
Glad to have you on 'board'

Before jumping into S/H, I remember Ray stating that the plant has to be in an active root growth cycle period to do so successfully and the plant must be healthy .. I am sure Ray can comment on this in much greater detail.
As per Ray's site - Root Cells and Culture
"1. When repotting, for example, always make sure that new growths (hence new roots) are forming. Doing so gives the plant the opportunity to grow cells that are appropriate for the environment created by the new medium, and to develop a new root system that will fully support the plant as the old roots start to fail."

(..._...) · #9 05-22-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

hi Jim,
I grow my oncids in sphag moss and coarse rok. I allow 30% of room inside the pots for new root growth.

My onc sharry baby is in bark right now, and seems to be fine, but I would like to repot it in sphag. Will the roots tolerate the change from bark to sphag. Also, you you let it go almost completely dry? (as in the moss gets that crunchy hardness to it)

thanks!!

sucuz · #10 05-22-2008, 05:36 PM

"It was an act of mercy, they would have killed it."

You're still ok on your recovery program. "Mercy purchases" are not the same as "addictive, impulse purchases" of the raving addicted orchidist. Your act of kindness to preserve one of the worlds most amazing plant species was a noble act worthy of praise and totally in line with "environmental correctness".

Rescue plant people and guerrilla gardners salute you!