Shriveling pbulb on Beallara - should I cut the flower stem?

[aqualady]

The older pbulb on my Onc/Odon is shriveling... it doesn't quite look like it's dying, but I'm not sure whether or not to cut the flower stem and try to save the bulb. When I bought it a few weeks ago, the flower stem was in bud, then I repotted it, and ever since, the pbulb has been slowly wrinkling. I know it uses energy to produce the flowers, and I think it may have gone through some shock after the repot. There's a new shoot growing between it an another (plump) pbulb. Please advise... any advice would be much appreciated!

[james mickelso]

It is doing what it needs to do to flower. The flowers use the starches stored in the older pbulbs and as the starches are used the pbulbs lose volume. They shrivel. That new pbulb is what is precious. Feed this orchid right, give it light and don't over water it and you'll have fklowers next time .

[aqualady]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

It is doing what it needs to do to flower. The flowers use the starches stored in the older pbulbs and as the starches are used the pbulbs lose volume. They shrivel. That new pbulb is what is precious. Feed this orchid right, give it light and don't over water it and you'll have fklowers next time .

Thanks, James! The new growth seems to be growing strong and is a nice color and shape. When I bought it, it was packed in moss, but now I have it potted in a fine orchid bark mix and it's sitting on a humidity tray. I've been watering it every 2-3 days since the bark seems to dry out quickly. Do these need more light than phals or about the same amount?

Also, I noticed you are in Oceanside? Very beautiful place! I have a bunch of family there and lived there myself for about a year. I also lived in San Diego for about 5 years, and miss it a lot! Cheers to you... Say hello to the ocean for me!

[Leafmite]

If the growth is wrinkling, it might mean a problem has developed with the roots. When repotting, often roots are damaged and this can allow opportunities for rot to develop. I like to keep the medium dry for a few days after a repot to give the roots a chance to heal. I also found mounting or using red lava rock/net pots to be easier to use as a medium than bark as I tend to over-pot and my bark never dried in the middle. The net pots let me see the roots, too, so I know how they are faring.
As for cutting the spike, I would check the roots first. If the roots are healthy, this might be normal, or the orchid might just need more water. If there are no healthy roots, often, as soon as the conditions are corrected, the oncidium recovers quickly. Cutting the spike will depend on if new growths have already begun. If not, you will want your orchid to put energy into starting new growths. Good luck!

[Leafmite]

Saw James reply, glad to know it isn't a problem.

[WhiteRabbit]

Doesn't look severely shriveled - older pbulb will wrinkle a bit, especially when new growth is coming along. If the new growth isn't coming in with pleated foliage, it's probably fine

[james mickelso]

Most oncidiums do this. Here are some examples. The flower spike doesn't usually deplete the pbulb because the orchid is still actively feeding it. But once the new growth starts to develope then the bulb starts to wrinkle because the new growth hasn't developed new roots yet and so starts cannabilizing the older bulbs.