need help with my "dancing lady" orchid

[kittie829]

last month i got this orchid from a very reputable flower shop and after a few weeks i noticed it looking a little sick. i only water it once a week but it seems like the moss its in is always dry. i also have moved it from one window because i felt like the sun was too much. now it is in a kitchen window which is where i keep a phalaenopsis orchid i own that seems to do well in this window. i also am unsure if it needs to be repotted or not because it seems very crowded for how big the plant base is. i have been trying to research what my new addition needs and i cant seem to find what i am looking for.

in summary, my questions are:
1) why are the stems of my flowering plant turning brown and sick looking
2) should i replant my orchid into a bigger pot; if so should i do it now or wait till the blooms die off since i read that repotting it when in bloom it could shock the plant

[tucker85]

How long has it been in bloom? If it was in bloom when you got it, the flowers might just be at the end of their normal life span. Oncidiums like to be in small pots but I think your's is pretty crowded and ready to be repotted. Use a pot the next size up, not too big. You can certainly wait until the flowers die off completely before you repot.

[Royal]

Hi Kittie, and welcome!

1. Flowers don't last forever. They may just be at the end of their cycle. It also could be that they suffered some sort of transport shock or are just sulking from being removed from the environment in which they developed.

2. Yes, but wait until blooming is done AND you see new root growth. If it's not actively growing roots, a new pot doesn't really benefit it, and could stay too wet and rot - which brings me to #3.

3. When you re-pot, don't overdo it. Most orchids, especially this type, like to have a snug fitting pot. Choose a pot size that just barely accommodates the roots.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[skyheaven]

It looks quite stressed due from lack of water. I noticed lots of wrinkles at the bottom bulbs. Pick up the watering slowly. If you water once a week try ever 4-5 days. after awhile you will notice the bulbs will be getting let wrinkles. After you maintained the watering schedule. It dose need a repot.

[kittie829]

ok thank you all you have been very helpful and I will try getting it repotted once the bulbs are doing a little better

[WhiteRabbit]

The pbulbs are quite shriveled - they may not re-plump with increased water, but new growth should be good. Older pbulbs do get a bit wrinkly with time, but not usually this much. The blooms look like your plant may be Odontocidium, or Wilsonara, tho I couldn't say for sure, but there's likely Odontoglossum in there. I would water before media is completely dry. I have bamboo skewers in all my pots to help determine when to water.


I don't usually have problems re-potting "whenever", other than the possibility of losing blooms if the plant is blooming.

[Orchid126]

Oncidiums need twice as much water and light than phals, and won't do as well in the same window. Put it back in the sunnier window and then feel the leaves. If they're hot, move the plant back a few inches (not feet. Light drops off dramatically every inch away from the window). Keep checking the leaves. If they aren't hot, then the light is okay for them. If hot, move them back a little.

As Royal says, Oncidiums like tight shoes to the point where they're top heavy. Slip the pot into a heavier pot for stability. Repot in the spring when the roots start growing again.

As White Rabbit says, put a trimmed-down shishkabob skewer into the moss and let it stay there. When you think the plant needs water take it out and touch it to your cheek, lip, or the back of your hand. How wet or dry the stick is before watering will depend on the type of orchid. For oncidiums, the stick should be damp. They don't like to dry out and can take an alarming amount of water. From the look of your wrinkled bulbs, the plant has been underwatered. As Skyheaven says, you might try every four days in the winter, and three times a week in summer. The old bulbs may not plump out so much, but the new bulbs should be fine.