my oncidium's new growth... - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 12-10-2008, 11:11 PM

Hi,
Could you tell me if this new growth on my Oncidium Sweet Sugar is a keiki or not, please? If so, how do I remove it or should I just leave it alone? If it's not a keiki, is this normal growth for an oncidium.....roots growing this high above the medium down into it? Is there anything I should do or not?

attached.....I would appreciate your advice.
Vicki

Jorge_Burrito · #2 12-10-2008, 11:32 PM

Looks like just the growth of a new pseudobulb to me. Root growth like that is pretty normal, just keep on doing what you have been doing and you should be fine. Oncs bloom from the previous seasons growth so it is always good to see new healthy growth!

greenbean · #3 12-10-2008, 11:57 PM

That Onc. looks dry to me, either from lack of water or lack of healthy roots. It will probably improve as those new roots continue to grow, but the older pbulbs are severely shriveled and I see some pleating at the base of the inner leaf on top of the new grow. My Twinkle did the same thing, although I think I butchered it's roots when I repotted it. I suppose it would be best to leave it and see what happens.

whygreenberg · #4 12-11-2008, 12:23 AM

Yeah, I don't think it's a keiki. Just normal root growth. As most orchids are epiphytes and "climb" up the sides trees and branches, they can sometimes start trying to climb up and out of pots too.

frostedeyes · #5 12-11-2008, 12:30 AM

not a keiki not a spike... and dont touch anything anything just leave them alone... along with the old bulbs! they supply nutrition on future growths!

ronaldhanko · #6 12-11-2008, 03:37 AM

An orchid like this in nature sends out new growths at an angle because it's climbing a tree branch. When we do "unnatural" things with them and and stick them in a pot straight up and down, then they continue to send out growths at an angle and so climb up out of the pot. You have nothing to worry about. I later on when you repot it and you want the growths to crawl over the surface of the medium, you'll have to put them in so that they lean in the direciton of the new growth like "/" and not like "|".

Kuldking · #7 12-11-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean

That Onc. looks dry to me, either from lack of water or lack of healthy roots. It will probably improve as those new roots continue to grow, but the older pbulbs are severely shriveled and I see some pleating at the base of the inner leaf on top of the new grow. My Twinkle did the same thing, although I think I butchered it's roots when I repotted it. I suppose it would be best to leave it and see what happens.

I agree with greenbean. The pseudobulbs look to shrivered. What is your watering regime?? Bathing the plant for about half an hour would probably benefit the plant (that's what I do)

VickiC · #8 12-11-2008, 12:58 PM

Thanks everyone,
After reading your replys, I have more questions, if you don't mind. I'm glad to know that this is normal growth, not a keiki, because I was not looking forward to doing surgery, if that was what you advised. I've only done it twice before. Both the mother and baby died the first time (a Phal). Only the baby survived the second time (a Den), so I dreaded having to take the chance of hurting a healthy orchid again. I kept telling myself, though, that "you do what you have to do" sometimes.

As for dryness, I don't know what else to do other than what I'm already doing except what you suggesgted, Liisa: Bath it for half an hour. As you can see, the plant's in semi-hydro, so when the water level is down to the bottom of the reservoir, I drench the plant from the top of the pot until the water drains down to the top of the reservoir. Liisa, do you think I should close the holes somehow when I drench it, so as to bathe the plant longer in water? Greenbean, what causes pleating? Is there something I should be doing that would prevent more of this?

Ronaldhanko, thanks for clueing me in on why the new growth is growing sideways. If and when this happens again, I'll know the reason why. By the way, I'm guessing now that is why the new growths on my Dens. are growing out into the "wild blue yonder". ?

Thanks again everyone, and I would appreciate your answers to my new questions, if you don't mind, as I said.

Vicki

dounoharm · #9 12-11-2008, 02:40 PM

as far as surgery goes....there is no rule saying you HAVE to remove a keiki....you can just let em go and enjoy the plant. you dont have to take em off. i think you are doing fine in the s/h..how long have you had the plant in s/h? maybe it just needs a repot. misting wont hurt a bit to keep up the humidity. just mist in the mornings tho, keep the leaves dry at nite. hope this helps you out some....

VickiC · #10 12-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Thank you!
I've had my plant in S/H just a few months.....I'm guessing about July or so of this last summer....maybe Aug.?? If I had just taken time to read Ray's site better before I potted it in S/H, I would have known to wait for new roots.

Anyway, thanks again for your help!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

as far as surgery goes....there is no rule saying you HAVE to remove a keiki....you can just let em go and enjoy the plant. you dont have to take em off. i think you are doing fine in the s/h..how long have you had the plant in s/h? maybe it just needs a repot. misting wont hurt a bit to keep up the humidity. just mist in the mornings tho, keep the leaves dry at nite. hope this helps you out some....