New Wils. Pacific Passage 'Peach Cobbler' - Thoughts?

[lotis146]

Hello hello everyone!

So I have received my very first Oncidium (as well as my first online plant!) and I'm wondering what you all think. It is Wilsonara Pacific Passage 'Peach Cobbler' in spike.

Seeing as this is my first of this alliance I'm curious about the condition of it, namely the black spots on the leaves (which I've searched here and seen many people say that Onc.s are sort of infamous for this) but also that they are most evident on what I assume is the older growth whose pbulb is wrinkled/shriveled to an extent. Spotting is evident on the leaves of the other growth but not nearly as much. I did see that a spike was cut from the other growth which signifies to me that it had already flowered (something I know now to ask next time, if the other growth has yet flowered!). I read here too that wrinkling is sometimes common on older growths, but what about the two (spotting & wrinkling/shriveling) together?

Overall, whatcha think? I have yet to leave this ebay seller feedback. The paper towel that was about the pot was moist so I presume it was recently watered.

Also, which I think I'll post separately, as a token of his appreciation for purchasing from him the seller gave me a free Phal. Brother Lawrence x Yellow Brite Lites, which I believe is undoubtedly a seedling. HOWEVER, sticky under leaves! Will post that & pics diff thread. But here's pics of 'Peach Cobbler'!

















Can you see these well enough, or do you need bigger pics?

[PaphMadMan]

That's a very healthy looking plant. The spotting and wrinkling are well within normal range. It is very common for a plant sold in spike to have previously flowered on an older growth. I can't see that as any kind of negative. I'd be quite pleased with this plant if it was my purchase. The vendor deserves entirely positive feedback, especially since you got a bonus plant of significant value as well.

The sticky leaves aren't necessarily a problem, though if there appears to be an associated insect or disease problem you do have some cause for concern, but you should address it with the vendor before you consider leaving any kind of negative feedback for that.

[IncurablePlantHead]

What a nice plant you have!

[reliablefool]

This appears to be a very nice plant. The newest psuedobulb is large and plump and the wrinkling on the previous pseudobulb looks normal to me. I am a little confused as to why it is bad that the old growth has already flowered. Growths typically bloom as they mature so the previous growth will normally bloom/be done blooming before growing the next pseudobulb. People generally only get multiple pseudobulbs with spikes at the same time when there are multiple growing points that have pseudobulbs maturing at/around the same time.

Sticky leaves don't really concern me if I do not see any pests, but I would keep my eye out. It could be "happy sap" which is generally a sign of a happy/well-grown plant, but I say keep an eye out just in case it IS caused by pests.

[lotis146]

Thank you for taking the time to look at my plant and post, very much appreciated! It's such a blessing to be able to connect with other more experienced growers while you're learning.

I don't mean to sound negative or say that I think it's bad that the older growth has already flowered it's rather that being new to online buying and purchasing plants on ebay I didn't quite know what to expect, sometimes I'm a skeptic. So I don't see it as a bad thing really. (My Paph. 'Pink Fred' I picked up I think after one growth had bloomed as well, which btw had a second bloom just open!)

I will keep an eye on the Phal & I thought that was pretty darn cool for him to have given it to me like that. And it arrived well-packaged & quickly. My first ebay purchase has been a success.

Thank you again. I think I'll repot the youngin tomorrow. Really appreciate all your help! Time for me to get reading up on Wilsonara! What a thrill to branch into a new species! Funny how in pictures pseudobulbs look like they might be squishy but they're rather firm.

I'll be leaving a positive feedback. Oh and if you're interested the seller's name is radar_contact_lost
radar_contact_lost | eBay
And is in Arkansas.

Oh and it looks like he's cleaning out his greenhouse some culling a bit.

Thanks again for YOUR feedback.

[Leafmite]

It looks very healthy. I can't wait to see pictures of the blooms!

[Optimist]

Old back bulbs will always be wrinkly. Easy care intergenerics are designed to like the home or window sill environment. I tried a few (they are all still alive by the way) and the one that thrives the best in my ecology is Beallaria. Carpentara, and Wilsonara seem to be close to that. The only tip I can give is to go for the upper light limit. Get some yellow and even some red on those leaves. Do not treat like a phal. Give as much light as they will stand. Back off only if you see sunburn.

[james mickelso]

Nice plant. Here's how it was grown. Medium high light levels. Just a tad lower than cattleya levels. the leaves are thin and burn easily so be careful. Introduce it slowly to brighter light levels. The leaves will burn before getting any red on them. It looks to be planted in coc husk and perlite although it could be fern and sponge rock. Either way it can be watered when nearly dry. Do not repot until it has flowered and the new growth coming from the base of the flowering growth has roots at least an inch long. Oncids do not like to be repotted. You may lose a season's flowering if not done at the right time. The roots are thin and easily damaged. They also rot easily especially if disturbed by repotting. This plant was a division when growing. It was grown and flowered in near perfect conditions. Very warm, medium light, and humid. Read up on oncids and grow it like that. When you repot, just take it out of this pot and place it, without disturbing the roots, into the next size pot. Once you get a bunch of pbulbs flowered then in a few years you'll want to put some rock, gravel, or other inorganic material under the central root mass to keep it from becoming too wet and rotting.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Old back bulbs will always be wrinkly. Easy care intergenerics are designed to like the home or window sill environment. I tried a few (they are all still alive by the way) and the one that thrives the best in my ecology is Beallaria. Carpentara, and Wilsonara seem to be close to that. The only tip I can give is to go for the upper light limit. Get some yellow and even some red on those leaves. Do not treat like a phal. Give as much light as they will stand. Back off only if you see sunburn.

Thank you for this information. I plan to keep it by a window, south facing at this point. I live around a lot of trees so I'm going to have to feel out how the light and shade changes around here as the trees fill out. I know it becomes pretty shady but I get great light coming in the front (south) window. Just gotta get a little table to set it up on!

Originally Posted by Leafmite

It looks very healthy. I can't wait to see pictures of the blooms!

ME TOO!

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Nice plant. Here's how it was grown. Medium high light levels. Just a tad lower than cattleya levels. the leaves are thin and burn easily so be careful. Introduce it slowly to brighter light levels. The leaves will burn before getting any red on them. It looks to be planted in coc husk and perlite although it could be fern and sponge rock. Either way it can be watered when nearly dry. Do not repot until it has flowered and the new growth coming from the base of the flowering growth has roots at least an inch long. Oncids do not like to be repotted. You may lose a season's flowering if not done at the right time. The roots are thin and easily damaged. They also rot easily especially if disturbed by repotting. This plant was a division when growing. It was grown and flowered in near perfect conditions. Very warm, medium light, and humid. Read up on oncids and grow it like that. When you repot, just take it out of this pot and place it, without disturbing the roots, into the next size pot. Once you get a bunch of pbulbs flowered then in a few years you'll want to put some rock, gravel, or other inorganic material under the central root mass to keep it from becoming too wet and rotting.

Well aren't you a walking encyclopedia!!!

Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I noticed how stringy the roots are that I can see, very different from the Phal roots I'm used to. So glad to know not to repot it, I was just wondering that honestly. And so you're saying when I repot leave the old medium & just add more, am I understanding you correctly?

I will definitely read up on them when I get the chance. Thank you again for being so generous with your knowledge. I'm excited to see it flower, the seller said about a month or so, never had an Onc. of any kind before! (I know, I already said that )


Lotis

[james mickelso]

There is enough stored energy in both of these pbulbs to flower this with very little water. But it will take a toll on the plant so water it well. But then let it become just damp. Not dry, not wet, but just damp. Then water again. Too much water will blast the flowers. Less is more. Once the flowers start to fade, cut the spike like the other one. Letting the flower spike stay on just depletes the pbulb needlessly. Once the flowers start to fade your task is to nurture the new growth. Wilsonara are great plants but not as vigorous as oncids. Fewer flowers but larger than oncids. The will put out multiple new growths if grown well. Specimen plants are easy to get in just a few seasons. Warm, good light, and good water are a must. South exposure is good as long as the leaves don't burn. Nice plant by the way. Good luck.