Orchid in dirt?

[Jinx]

I bought this 2 weeks ago from Safeway. These come from a grower in California. But it looks to me like its in dirt and the bulb isnt too happy. I dont have alot of experiance with oncindium. And its in bloom right now so im not sure what to do. Any ideas?

[kindrag23]

Oncidium...in dirt.....hmmm interesting. I dont know about that idea...I have mine in lava rock that I chipped up about quarter sized in glazed/terracotta pots with extra holes drilled into it. Mine get indirect west facing sun light at about...5 feet from the window and the window is covered with a cover of 3ft over that. And you are right it does not look all that happy. I would also check the roots of this plant it may be a root issue causing the problems as well. Good luck.

[Jinx]

I took the moss off the top and pulled it out. I dont know if the media has just degraded so much it looks like dirt or what. Here is a pic


Edit it also might have got a bit cold its been sitting in the window

[Dendy83]

Anytime I get a new orchid that is in anything other than bark I don't hesitate to repot right away. The bulb on your oncidium is rotting and I don't think it will come back and that is due to the soil. I would suggest repotting right away in either bark or moss even though it is in bloom. If you notice the blooms are fading after you repot you can cut the spike and put them in a vase so you can enjoy them without stressing out the plant.

Here is a link to an Oncidium culture sheet, hopefully that can help answer some questions.

I saw that you posted a photo as I was typing. That certainly looks like soil, but the roots on the outside don't look so bad. When you repot rinse all the soil off and take a good look at the center of the root ball. Hopefully they look ok.

[Jinx]

I might just return it. Id rather not deal with a new orchid thats dying. I already have 2 phals in what i call spagnbag hospital atm. Thank you for confirming my thinking that it was rotting.

I guess i better go check the other 5 i bought from that same shipment.

[SlipperGirl]

The roots that I see look healthy But you should still repot it before the roots go bad.

[Jinx]

All the other oncindiums i bought are in this dirt like stuff O.o Like dirt but with some husk feeling stuff and perlite. They are all in bloom bah... i guess i have work to do this weekend.

[LadySoren]

Soo neaty on You tube had an orchid in "dirt" and she realized it was extremely broken down bark and needed repotting like there's no tomorrow.
Maybe yours is in actually dirt tho I can't tell.

[Jinx]

If im not mistaken they came from Matsui orchids in california. Maybe they have never been repotted and its just broken down to "almost dirt"

On a side note my 12 year old daughter found a phal at a thrift store in dirt it was doing amazingly well. We repotted it and its quite happy now. Her one dollar orchid is her pride and joy

[kindrag23]

In the second picture is the smaller phulbs brown spot squishy? It almost makes me think of rot.