Need help identifying and separating this one!

[natsmc99]

Hi, I'm a beginner on this subject and was given this orchid by a friend. It doesn't look so healthy because it looks kind of crowded and the color seems a little to dark I think. If anyone could help me identify this one I would be grateful. I'm told the flower is a yellow with brown spots and don't know much besides that. I was thinking on separating it because I think it looks too crowded now. Please give me advice as to how to do this, and how to care for it because I don't know its needs.

Thank you!

[WhiteRabbit]

just want to this post
m not sure what you have there - it reminds me of some of my intergeneric oncidiums except for the shape of the foliage ?
I imagine alot of that plant is just dead and can be removed and trashed. the rest potted up after a good soak maybe ?
I am sure someone with more knowledge will chime in soon -
good luck and keep us posted!\

[kinknstein]

The foliage looks similiar to my Helcia sanguinolenta. Flower description would match as well. Did your friend have any pics when it was in flower?

[let_it_grow]

I dont know what kind of chid you have but I would say by the looks of it... you may have a root rot problem. The older pseudo bulbs look shriveled and some are dead and that could be caused by root rot. The potting medium does not look like its been changed in a while so i would recommend doing that. I would not recommend dividing the plant though, just cut the dead/ brown pseudo bulbs off with a sterilized knife and treat the cut spots with cinnamon. Gently remove the potting mixture but i would soak it first so the roots are pliable and the medium comes off without damage to the roots. After removing all the potting medium i would cut all the brown squishy rotten roots (dont worry about cutting the rotten roots even if it leaves you with very few roots remaining because the plant is not getting any water from the rotten roots so they may as well not be there at all) and get some clean fresh orchid bark (soak for at least 24hrs 1st in water and KLN or superthrive if you can get it) and repot the plant. Make sure the pot its in has good drainage and i would put the plant in a south window if you have one. That should get you started

[let_it_grow]

I just wanna add... dont cut off the old bulbs that are still green... even if they are shrively... they provide nutrients to the rest of the plant and the new growth cause the new growth wont develop roots till they are a bit older

[natsmc99]

I did exactly what you said, thank you!! I soaked it and it took a while, but everything just fell off. The roots weren't that bad after all, some I did cut off, but most where white and looking good. The plant came apart in 3 pieces at the end, almost by itself because the dead bulbs just fell off the rest. I'll post some more pics this week to see how they are doing, but so far they look better than ever!!!! thank you guys so much!

I'll ask about the pictures so that we may have a better idea of what this is