Regrowing roots on Oncidium 'Sharry Baby'

[TimetoFindMe]

Hello,

I have a question about re-growing roots. I remember seeing a thread a while ago where people mentioned a method involving sphagnum moss and I think a freezer bag to help encourage new root growth on orchids with shriveled pseudo bulbs from damaged roots.

I work at a garden center and have acquired many many orchids, some of which I took home because they didn't look happy and I was hoping I could save them.

I have an Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' that has pretty damaged roots. I separated the healthy new pesudo bulbs so I could treat the largest plant. I cut off some off the squishy, clearly rotten roots off and loosely wrapped some moist, but not super wet moss around the base. I check on it periodically to make sure its not rotting or harming the plant.

Am I doing this right? Does anyone know which method I'm talking about? I tried using the search engine but none of the keywords I typed in yielded any results. I even went through my computers history and still couldn't find the thread.

I also have some other orchids that my boyfriend's mother gave to me so I can save them. Unfortunately they don't have tags with their botanical names on them. I know two of them are Oncidium though.


Sorry this was so long! Thanks for reading.

[Rosiefuture]

Hi, Welcome to the OB

I think you are talking about what they call "Sphag & Bag" on here. I think you are doing it right, I haven't done it but I believe you put damp sphag around the base of the orchid and seal it in one of those zip plastic bags. I think you put it in a bright warm spot out of direct sun.

[CTB]

that's the way I am tryin it, but don't have results yet, its been in the bag a week and still looks alive, so guess that's some progress. You could do a search on the site for spag and bag and you might find it.
Welcome to the OB, this is just the type of question we love. Enjoy!

[KatyaB]

I've tried the "sphag in bag" also. The suggestion was not to put the moss anywhere will it be touching the plant and also to soak the pland first in root growth hormone. My plant isn't dying but also hasn't started any new roots. Still waiting...

[Judi]

I really don't do it myself, but there is good info for it on First Ray's Orchids site: Sphag-n-Bag

[WhiteRabbit]

I have found Oncidiums to be quite resilient. If there's new growth those should start roots in the not too distant future.
Sounds like what you are doing would probably work.

You are probably thinking of sphag n bag - which I haven't tried. It can work, but I have also read of mold and rot issues with it.

Are there any good roots on this plant?

If this were mine, I would probably just pot it in the smallest possible pot, and keep the media from drying out. Food and water stored in the pbulbs will likely sustain the plant til it has roots (of course the pbulbs will shrivel).
You could tent the plant with a plastic bag (make sure there is some fresh air allowed) to keep the humidity up around the plant, but I got fungus the one time I tried that. I have had some success with placing small plants in a small fish tank. Moist peat topped with a layer of pebbles on the bottom - cover partially. But I know Sharry Babys can be quite large, so I don't know if that is do-able for you.

gl

[Call_Me_Bob]

ive been told that the new roots wont grow until a new growth is about 1/2 mature. ive seen that in mine onc also

[orchidsamore]

Oncidium grow roots very slowly.

I grow hundreds of Sharry Baby every year and they are easy.

I do not like the sphag and bag method as the closed bag tends to produce pythion fungus which is a quick kill. The idea of the bag is to increase the humidity around the plant, but Onc do not need it and why risk fungus.

I pot any damaged plants in sphagnum moss . Then place it in your growing area and apply patience. I usually do not look at it again for six months when I usually have new flower spikes.

The plants should be either removed from the sphagnum or changed to fresh sphagnum in about 9-12 months as it sours and new roots do not like to grow into sour medium.

Let Sharry Baby dry completely between waterings.

[jen]

I've tried the sphag n bag myself and everytime the plants rotted and I know why now; the lack of air movement in the bag. You didn't say where you live but if you need to increase your humidity I would do it in a manner where you still have good air movement...that is crucial. I grow about 2500 orchids in a mixed collection and when I have one that is 'challenged' I remove it from the pot, trim off any soft roots or pseudobulbs, soak it in an antifungal and then just put it somewhere in bright shade and leave it alone until you start to see new roots emerging....it may take a few weeks or even longer. Do not water it or allow it to get rained on, if it is hot and dry you might mist it lightly a couple times per week but no more. When you see new roots starting, pot it in the smallest pot it will fit in and make sure it is secured tightly, if it's wobbly it will chafe off the new roots and continue to decline. Hope this helps,
Jen

[WhiteRabbit]

well I don't allow my Sharry Baby to dry in-between watering, but I do live in a drier climate than Jerry, so maybe that's why it works for me ...