Rotting pbulbs on Oncidium Sharry Baby.

[RandomGemini]

One of my oncidium sharry babies is having issues. It has a pbulb that is squishy and I'm concerned about possible rot. I did remove a rotting pbulb from this plant when I repotted it a few weeks ago. I'm planning to remove the other rotting pbulb too. It is growing a new pseudobulb off of a healthy one.

The problem is, that would leave me with only two pbulbs remaining on this plant and I read that there need to be at least three for good growth, but I really can't leave it there. That rot is just going to spread. So what's going to happen to the poor thing when I remove that bulb and it's down to two remaining pseudobulbs?

This is what it looks like right now that orangey spot is squishy to the touch.

Is it worth it to try to save it at this point?

[silken]

I had an Onc. Wildcat that had rot on a bulb and every time I cut it away, the next one would rot-even tho I cut to healthy tissue. After about 3 times of cutting a bulb away I decided I had to get aggressive or lose the plant. I took the bad one plus the one next to it. That left me with only 1 or 2 bulbs also. It took several years but it has made a come back and has bloomed reliably the last couple years. I dusted the entire base, media and cut area with gardening sulfur. I know, it will reduce the plant to not much. You could try it and maybe in the meantime you will come across a larger one or a division from someone else so you won't have to wait for this one to bloom in several years. Good luck.

[RandomGemini]

The problem is.. if I take the bad bulb, and the one next to it, I'm taking out the bulb that has new growth and leaving behind a much older bulb that has no leaves on it.

It does sound like this one might be a goner then. If that's the case, I'm going to just pitch it and head to the hardware store and see if I can find something more appropriate for my husband's office that will grow in his conditions. He has lower light than I think oncidiums really want, but he grumbled if I tried to take this sharry baby out of his office. I do have another sharry baby already, so I won't be heartbroken to lose this one.

[reliablefool]

Sharry baby is a fairly vigorous grower and I think you should be fine getting rid of the rotten pbulb. You may not get the best growth and show, but the plant should be able to still make a good size pbulb and bloom. That's been my experience with it anyway.

[WhiteRabbit]

I'd check the rhizome for fusarium wilt ring. I had similar problems with a couple Onc alliance, and when cutting away the rotted pbulbs saw that ring in the rhizome.

If there's no ring, I'd have a go at growing it even with only a couple pbulbs, unless you'd rather not - shouldn't be hard to find another ...

[RandomGemini]

My husband likes it so much, that if I can save it, I would like to. I'll check it for it when I cut that rotted bulb out today. If I find it, I'll toss the plant and soak all of my tools in bleach and track down another plant for him. We have a great nursery here that has a lot of different house plants, I'm sure they could point me in the direction of something that would grow well in that space.

I'll let you know after I get a look at it. Thank you so much!

[SlipperGirl]

Good luck with it I hope it makes it since its working on a new growth I think you still have a chance with it

[RandomGemini]

Cut into the rhizome after removing the bulb... and sure enough, there was a very clear, purple ring.

I tossed the plant and am soaking everything in bleach now. Thanks Sonya. I would never have thought to check it if you hadn't said something.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Cut into the rhizome after removing the bulb... and sure enough, there was a very clear, purple ring.

I tossed the plant and am soaking everything in bleach now. Thanks Sonya. I would never have thought to check it if you hadn't said something.

Dang, that's too bad. But better to find out ...

The first time it happened to me - mysteriously rotting pbulbs - I saw the ring in the rhizome, but didn't know what that might signify. I posted pix, and some other board members alerted me to fusarium.

The last time, plant looked healthy, I was just dividing it, and I saw that *bleeping* purple ring! :mad:

I try to remember to always check for that anytime I'm cutting rhizome now...

[RandomGemini]

Thanks, now that I know what I'm looking for, I'll do the same from now on!