Brand new and struggling

[catherinecarney]

One thing that's really useful is to get a thermometer that records the minimum and maximum temperature so you have an idea of your day/night temp differences. Most orchids seem to grow better when there is some temp variance.

A southeast-ish exposure sounds wonderful--I have windows that face south, and grow most of my plants in them. The lower light ones just sit back a bit or are shaded by the taller plants in front.

Also, do you have any trees that might shade the window during spring/summer/fall? I have found that the dappled shade my trees provide when the orchids are out on the porch for the summer is pretty good for them, and even plants on a windowsill may benefit from the same dappled shade effect.

It sounds like you're well on your way to creating a great growing space. Keep posting pix and ideas to inspire the rest of us.

Catherine

[kheftling]

Ok, So I've gotten the Oncidium mounted on the stone and everything has been in the window for the last two days. Seems to be ok, I moistened all the media before planting. Orchid roots all looked healthy. However I noticed today that it's dropped about 1/3 of it's buds. Is that normal due to the change of environment or should I be worried that I've done something wrong? Should I prune off the spikes so that it focuses on rooting into its new home or is it better to leave it be?

[Leafmite]

Usually when I have bud drop, it is due to either terrible roots, sucking insects (scale, mealy bugs) dry, blowing heat (we had a hot, dry summer two years ago...) or a cold draft. Watering with cold water or being exposed to a very different climate can also cause bud-drop.
I usually just leave the spikes be.

[Optimist]

A fan? Delaware seems like it would be 30-50% humid. That is all you need for most orchids---all but specialist orchids. Maybe you need a hydrometer. Cost about $9.00 or up Home Depo, Lowes, etc. Im in new mexico in the desert, but in the wintre it is about 39% and in the summer, less but i can use a fishtank and bubbler. And humidifier to keep it up to 50%.

You really dont need much humidity for oncidiums.

---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 PM ----------

Twinkle has thin leaves and thin roots. Needs small media and a lot of water if mounted. Mine is on rocks but in a tall cup with drainage to keep the humidity up. I do not think i would have mounted it on a rock unless i gave it water every day.

---------- Post added at 05:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

Never re pot an orchid with buds. If growing, or if the flowers have bloomed already it is okay. Always wait till after it flowers to re pot. You can repot with flowers open. Not buds.

[catherinecarney]

Sorry about the bud drop--it happens, and it's often because of repotting, drafts, cold water, or "sheer orchid cussedness" (otherwise known as "I don't know why it did it but it did").

I'd leave the spikes alone (and enjoy the flowers when they open) and continue to provide good care.

Catherine

[kheftling]

Well, most of the buds had dropped off one spike (it arrived with two) so I cut that one back just to make sure I wasn't overtaxing. Hope that hasn't made it worse. The moss did feel a bit dry that is surrounding the roots. I didn't think that was the case as the moss beneath it's mount rock is still quite damp. So I gave it some h20. I do need to measure humidity and temp, gotta get that at HD next time I'm there. I was wondering if also it might be the chill as our temperatures just went from 68F to 28F in the last three to four days. Roots looked fine before mounting, and I was pretty gentle with it. Lightly surrounded them with sphag and coconut fiber stuff that it was already packed in the pot with and then tucked it into a natural crevice in the rock and fastened in place gently with some elastic that I thought would keep it firm without pinching the roots. Humidity might be a bit low since we have the central heating on...planning to pick up a mini humidifier or vaporizer. Anyone have suggestions as to a good one? Otherwise the plant looks fairly healthy, still dropped another couple buds today :/

[catherinecarney]

It sounds like you're doing things right. I do know, though, that some plants are more sensitive than others and will drop more easily. I bought a cattleya hybrid one time that was nicely budded in the greenhouse, brought it home in reasonable temps (T-shirt and sweatshirt weather) and the darn thing still dropped all but one bud within a few days (at least I got to see one flower).

Also, this may not be something you did, but rather a result of care it received before your husband bought it. I don't have a recommendation for a humidifier for you, but I'm sure that the "brain trust" that's on here will be able to help.

Hang in there and don't get discouraged--we all go through things like this!

Catherine

[WaterWitchin]

Welcome! And what a lovely window to put orchids in. Any type of cold air humidifier will work. I winter my orchids in a room that gets pretty chilly at night, and warms up to 70s in day. The few that don't like that as well (phals, etc) I have a seed heating mat underneath, which seems to suit them.

I see from your first post you believe you may have "killed with kindness." LOL... that's possible. Orchids are a hardier sort than one would first believe. I have a daughter who "fusses" a bit too much with her plants. Balance is key. I'd plop that orchid in the window, then watchfully wait and see how it responds. Then when/if concerns come up, there are a lot of really knowledgeable folks here who can assist. (I'm not one of them... I'm the Grasshopper, not the master. )

[Tabbyblack13]

I don't have a humidifier beacuse it causes water to condense on my windows. I keep the sausers filled with water to up the humidity around my plants.

[quiltergal]

I don't think that low humidity has been the cause of your lack of success with orchids. Most new growers kill their plants by overwatering which causes root rot. The RH in my house is 50% on a good day. Most of the time it is much lower. While most plants appreciate higher humidity they really don't need it to be healthy and bloom.

If that Twinkle were mine I would un-mount it and pot it in fresh media. Oncidiums are thirsty plants and I don't think it will do well mounted as you have discovered by the loss of one spike. You will need to water it every day if mounted and in the summer probably twice a day.

You don't need to grow orchids in a terrarium to be successful with them. You just need to practice good culture and that takes time and a few dead plants to learn. Your bay window is perfect for orchids. Keep in mind that some orchids like more light than others. Oncidiums in general are considered high light lovers. I think if your hubby makes you a tray and you put your plants in pretty decorative pots in the window you should be fine. Knowing when to water, when to repot, and when to fertilize should be the things you focus on now.

Just my Good luck!