I.D needed

[verian]

Could not resist this in a local florists, I think its an oncidium? probably im wrong, lovely large blooms and fragrant, hope you can help.
Ian

[mattryan]

Not really sure, it is in the umbrella of oncidium. I looked in one of my orchid books and it looks like a Burrageara that will change to Oncidopsis. I personally don't have one maybe someone who does can help you out. The one they show in my book is fragrant also. Good luck!

Cheryl

[orchidsarefun]

looks a lot like this

Burrageara Nelly Isler 'Swiss Beauty' AM/AOS

Nelly Isler is really popular in the retail trade because it appeals to so many people !

[verian]

Thank you for the replies
Ian

[camille1585]

I argee, it's probably Burr. Nelly Isler.

Just a word of warning, I would repot ASAP. In Europe, Oncidium type plants are sold in what appears to be a pot full of just bark mix. But 99% of the time in the center of the rootball is a very compact wad of sphagnum moss.
In a normal home environment this wad of sphag will stay wet way too long, causing the roots to rot. That's how I lost both of my Nelly Isler plants. Now each and every Onc type that I buy immediately gets repotted. And I only purchase them if they were from a recent shipment of orchids.

[verian]

I have been warned about this before and found the wad of moss in a Cambria I bought, But as this Nelly Isler is in full bloom and has another long spike with buds about to open I am reluctant to repot at this time as I do not want to lose it.
best wishes Ian

[camille1585]

I would still have a poke around, without un potting it, just to check. But I'm afraid that if it's there and you wait for the blooms to pass (so in 6 weeks or so) the roots may not be in very good shape.

From personal experience, buds/blooms are usually not affected by repotting. Accidently snapping a spike/bud/bloom while repotting is usually much more likely.

I really wish that they wouldn't sell plants like that!!

[verian]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I would still have a poke around, without un potting it, just to check. But I'm afraid that if it's there and you wait for the blooms to pass (so in 6 weeks or so) the roots may not be in very good shape.

From personal experience, buds/blooms are usually not affected by repotting. Accidently snapping a spike/bud/bloom while repotting is usually much more likely.

I really wish that they wouldn't sell plants like that!!

Hi! Camille,
Heeded your advice and removed the plant from the pot sure enough moss,which I removed from the roots with a kitchen fork only way to get to the basal plate, only damaged a couple of roots but the roots did look healthy white no black or mushy ones.
Best wishes and thanks
Ian

[Gage]

Lovely blooms! One word about the repotting and fear of rotted roots. My Burr. Nelly Isler likes to stay wet ALL the time. I water it even when it's wet, to keep fresh air moving through the media. I do this with most of my Oncidium types, but this one really doesn't like to dry out at all, at least not for me.

[camille1585]

Agreed, but this sphag core is bad bad news. It does NOT dry out because it's packed rock hard. And if you want to keep the roots in the faster drying bark moist enough, you inevitably end up watering before the core even begins to dry.