First time orchid owner...hints for oncidium care?

[mlwoo103]

I have always loved and admired orchids, but have never owned one of my own since I'm known to have somewhat of a black thumb...

well, my boyfriend saw me eyeing one in the story and ended up surprising me with them the next day (sweet, I know ) but I am constantly living with the fear that I am going to be the end of them...

I got them three days ago and haven't watered them yet, but have been misting them regularly. they are in front of a south facing window, which light comes through, but not any direct sunlight...

The tag on them reads "Oncidium Alliance"
I will post pics later, but until then can anyone give me some hints to keep them alive??

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[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Unless your growing area is bone dry (which most places aren't), it's not necessary to mist them everyday. Some orchids are fine with 40% to 60% relative humidity.

My first suggestion is to get the tools of the trade. A barometer. And a thermometer (people have suggested a high-low thermometer, but I've done fairly well without one).

Some cutters and scissors you don't mind messing up are a good investment as well.

There is a book about Oncidiums, which looks pretty good.

Orchid Species Culture: Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance by Charles and Margaret Baker.

There should be general orchid care information in there as well.

[mlwoo103]

well in fact, yes, it is bone dry.

I live in Arizona and it is summer, so there is literally no humidity to be had, haha.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by mlwoo103

well in fact, yes, it is bone dry.

I live in Arizona and it is summer, so there is literally no humidity to be had, haha.

Okay...

Then a humidity tray is the preferred method of raising humidity.

Misting can cause issues.

You know there's a guy from San Francisco called Brian the Orchid Guy who sells orchid growing videos as well. He seems pretty entertaining while providing basic orchid advice. Check out: The Orchid Guy. He has also posted some videos on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBgs601ll0

Just in case you're wondering, no, this is not from the 70's.

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[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

These are what humidity trays look like:

Humidity Trays - Humidi-Grow

[mlwoo103]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

These are what humidity trays look like:

Humidity Trays - Humidi-Grow

a tray with pebbles would create the same effect, no?

and what sort of problems can misting cause?

I've been doing some research to figure out exactly what type of oncidium mine is...from the looks of it so far, it most resembles an Colmanera/jungle monarch.

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[orchidbingo]

Originally Posted by mlwoo103

a tray with pebbles would create the same effect, no?

I inherited literally stacks of fiberglass trays from a church that shut down. I use them with white pebbles and they are fine for providing humidity. You need to be sure that the layer of pebbles is thick enough so the pots are not sitting in water. One drawback to the tray and pebbles is if one plant gets some bacteria or fungus you run a greater risk of infecting every plant on the tray

good luck

bingo

[WhiteRabbit]

I 'mist' the surface of the media in-between watering on some plants - mostly the ones that don't like to dry out. Early in the day so any moisture on foliage is dry before dark- probably not too much of an issue for you in AZ I bet lol
I checked out the video - well only the beginning actually - and would agree - that yes if you 'mist' make sure you don't wet the blooms.

When they are indoors - I grow oncidiums in west facing windows and that has worked out well for me. I haven't tried south for oncidiums so can't comment on that - if the plants aren't burning I guess its good
and west facing may get too hot for you in AZ ...

[Doc G]

My Onc.s have done well with a good drenching, then letting it dry. I generally lift the pot after watering to get a feel for the weight of a watered pot and do the same when it dries. The first time you water it, hold it over a sink or something and make sure the water is draining well. It may seem like all the water is pouring through. Thats good. I let mine get almost completely dry before watering again. I generally water 3 times with a weak (half strength) orchid fertilizer, then once with just water.

My mother lives in AZ and never mists and doesn't use humidity trays, but she has a lot of orchids clustered together so there is shared humidity. I would agree with King that a humidity tray is the way to go.

Be careful with the light. It's safer to start with less light (farther away from a window or sheer curtains) and move to more, than the other way around.

[mlwoo103]

Alright.
Thank you everybody!

Just one more thing that I'd like clarified...Ive never been very good with plants, so what I'd like to know is...does sunlight need to be shining directly on the plant for it to get the light it needs? or is just having my blinds open and allowing natural light (but not direct sunlight) in enough for it?