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01-08-2011, 12:18 AM
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bought new oncidium, does it look healthy?
Hello,
I bought new oncidium hybrid and at home I noticed that its leaves are much lighter than other orchids I have - mostly phals. I never had oncidium before and not sure what is its healthy look.
Also it is potted into moss, and it was extremely dry when I got it. Should I repot it into bark media? Does it like sun or shade?
Some canes are bent, maybe from transporting, will it straighten?
Could you please look at pictures and tell me if the plant is ok?
Thanks a lot
Last edited by orchideya; 01-08-2011 at 12:20 AM..
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01-08-2011, 01:20 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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It looks nice and healthy with beautiful flowers.
The color looks good, the bent leaves will probably not straighten up and it is normal for some of them to fall over. I have my onc plants in bright indirect light (sun) higher light than phals but lower than catts. As far as the moss goes, I would repot but would probably wait until after if finishes blooming.
Joann
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01-08-2011, 01:21 AM
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Looks like it's a Miltassia (Brassia x Miltonia)
Fine bark mix would be a good medium for this - I don't know if the blooms will survive repotting, so not sure if you think you can manage it in sphag til it's done blooming. I do keep mine lightly moist - not allowed to dry completely - tho these are quite forgiving in the watering department, and if left in sphag, I would err on the side of dry (waiting for the sphag to be VERY near dry, before watering)
Usually light green foliage is good - too dark can be from not enough light. I'm not sure what has caused the floppy foliage - that can be from insufficient light, but with the light green foliage, I don't know if that's the case with yours. Could be from the plant having been too dry maybe ?
Mine takes near Catt-like light, avoiding midday sun late spring - early fall.
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01-08-2011, 02:00 AM
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Just in case it was overpotted in sphag for sale, I would pull out the sphag at top and sides to check. If it was overpotted, it was done for show only, not for the health of the plant. The sphag will obviously be too high up on the pseudobulbs. If they did this you will find the root mass in a compact shape smaller than the pot it is currently in. If it's been overpotted like this, I think it is very important to get the fresh layer of sphag off, even if you don't repot. The active root "ball" will be more visible, and you can control the moisture level better if you can monitor that. If there's no sign of root rot and you can let it dry between waterings, you can wait for the bloom to finish. If there is any damage when you inspect, you're better to do the full repot now.
My Oncidium alliance plants get about one to two hours of direct "not noon" outdoor sun daily.
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01-08-2011, 11:58 AM
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Thank you.
As suggested, I pulled out the top layer of moss and discovered fine bark media under it. I could not see the sides as it sits pretty tight in a pot and I didn't want to disturb it, so I couldn't see all the roots, but some were picking out - white and a bit thinner than those on phals.
My plan is to not re-pot, put some bark on top instead of moss and water it as I do phals - soak pot in the tub for half hour then let the media dry completely. Does it sound like a good plan?
And one more concern:
Leaves on one pseudobulb are spotted black. Sale person said that it could be a frost bite or fertilizer burn, but it was a grocery store, so she could be mistaken and it could be something serious. It is on the last picture, what do you think?
Thanks again.
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01-08-2011, 07:59 PM
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I think the leaf that is spotted is an old one and on it's way out. I don't see anything to be concerned about in the other ix, tho I would definitely wait and see what others may have to say
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01-08-2011, 09:08 PM
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It's hard to say from the pic, but the bark looks really dark. It might just be wet after being buried by the sphagnum, or it might be starting to decompose.
I wouldn't put more bark on top. The level that you see is the level that it has been growing at. Covering it can risk keeping the PB too wet.
IF the roots look healthy and the bark isn't decomposing, you can wait to repot, but if the roots or medium are starting to go, the sooner the better.
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