Sharry Baby..Help!

[brittanyamber]

So I've ordered a Sharry baby from a site online - and it arrived bare rooted, with no instructions. So I emailed the company, and asked what to do, and they told me to soak it in a solution, etcetc. Then proceed to potting it and not watering it until a new growth appears? While in this time, I've only seen the plant go down, atleast I think. Any tips? I just feel the bulbs keep shrinking I mist it daily and its on a humidity tray.

[Ray]

The key is keeping it warm, humid, and shaded. Water the bark thoroughly, invert a clear plastic bag over the whole shootin' match to act as a mini-greenhouse, and put it in a warm, shaded location.

Soaking the plant in a root-growth stimulant can't hurt, either.

[Polarizeme]

I'd definitely water it. How long has it been since you got it and potted it?

[lepetitmartien]

And the pot is too large…

Good humidity around (with air movement) won't hurt given its state.

[brittanyamber]

I got it about two weeks ago, and the company told me not even to plant it right away.. which I didnt think sounded right. & then to plant it above the ground, Which I also never heard of. I know the pot size is to large, it was the only orchid pot I could find at any store anywhere! So I purchased a smaller one online.. except I dont know if I should repot it again! anyways, I got the plant and followed instructions for soaking the roots and then proceeded to not water it for a week, they told me 10 days til new growth comes in because then its established from shipping/repotting. I was still misting and giving it a little water. I wish I would have done what I normally do ! Ugh I created myself a mess!!!

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[catherinecarney]

Hi Brittanyamber--

Remember that orchids are tough--and your Sharry Baby is not in horrible shape. I'd do what Ray and the rest of the pro's have recommended as far as water and humidity. I'll bet it will bounce back and grow like the weed it is (it's a REALLY vigorous plant).

Catherine

[kindrag23]

@BrittanyAmber, Take a deep breath, its going to be okay, see I feared over watering my odont. wild cat and mine shriveled up big time. If you are waiting on orchid pots to arrive a plastic cup from starbucks with holes cut/burned into it. I use an aim and flame and place it close to the cup. Then when the holes open up move to make a new hole, to stabilize it I place it in a solid terra cotta pot. works great.

Also the phulbs may never completely plump back up but that is okay. My mother phulb looks like that on my wild cat. Its thriving, i use a rooting hormone (seaweed extract once or twice a month). It even shot off a new baby growth and one large new growth as well. I know where I live and due to the heat we are still having I am soaking my guys about every 2 days. They also are in a window with the window cracked with 4 of them together. So they get good air flow and good humidity. Good luck!!

[RandomGemini]

I wouldn't repot it again, now that you've already potted it. Per some wise advice regarding my own oncs, it's been pointed out to me that these guys don't like to be repotted that much. I repotted my sharry baby a few weeks ago and I wish that I hadn't done it now. It's dropped all of its blooms and the spikes are turning brown and the leaves don't look quite as pretty. I'm sure that it's sulking.

It'll be worth it once it blooms again though. That coco puff smell is amazing. Hopefully I didn't stress it too much.

[Leafmite]

My oncidum Sharry Baby loved a clay pot and red lava rock (I still see one of the divisions at OS meetings when it comes into bloom for the new owner). When I bought mine, it looked much like yours and I just staked it on top of my red lava rock and kept the rock watered for humidity. It easily recovered and quickly became a monster. The important thing is not to rot the bulbs and to stake it very well.
I don't grow the larger oncidiums any more as I just don't have the space but I do have three different mini oncidiums (I just divided one so have four pots of them).
I grow my mini oncidums in red lava rock and basket pots. This is my red twinkle that smells just like Sharry Baby and grows just as vigorously.

[brittanyamber]

Thank you all! Im really hoping this plant will take off. I also tried the lava rock and the compant I got it from said to take it out and put it in only medium bark chips ! and this is where I had to turn to some more advice ! Hopefully by combining all your great advice that I can keep this plant going !