My orchid and conflicting care advice

[member]

Hi everybody. This is my first post as you can see.

This is my second attempt at harboring and caring for an orchid. Years ago I attempted it to no avail, however, this time will be different because I have the internet, whereas 25 years ago I didn't. Anyway, I purchased this lovely specimen today. I am in zone 11, on an island, and currently have this under a shade cloth house. It is an Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Velvet Maroon'. That's what the label says. I bought it from a very clean and reputable nursery.

I am getting conflicting advice saying that these Oncidiums have no problems with being repotted while in bloom and others say do not even think about doing that. Some people say bark, others say moss, I just don't know. Its in a plastic pot with bark and I can see some vermiculite in there.

Did I choose a difficult orchid to begin with? Does it look healthy to you? I don't know by looking at it if it needs water or not. Should I water it with the water I harvest from the rain? Or tap water? I don't know, I just know that I desperately want to start my orchid and air plant collection since I built my shade house.

What are some great beginner orchids for someone in a hot climate such as Cuba?

Any and all advice is very much appreciated. Thank you kindly.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

First off, welcome to the OB.

There has been conflicting advice because the reasoning for the advice is different. When you get to the core of it, there really isn't one.

Let me start by saying, there is nothing inherently wrong with repotting an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid that does not grow tuberoids as part of its life cycle.

The caveat is that some orchids are prone to drop their flowers when they are repotted while in bloom, whereas some will not.

I recommend thoroughly checking the roots of your orchid upon first purchasing them to see for certain if there is anything serious you might need to attend to before it's too late. Your orchid might drop its flowers prematurely, but that is ok because you are checking for the orchid's most vital organs - the roots.

You see...what some people fail to realize is that a plant's flowers are the plant's genitalia and reproductive organs.

Would you hedge your bets on someone telling you that you are in 100% overall excellent health after only examining your reproductive organs? Think about the absurdity of the idea!

As far as potting media is concerned, I recommend using small to medium grade bark for this particular hybrid, unless you live in a very arid environment, like Arizona, where there is very little moisture in the air.

In respects to whether this orchid is difficult to grow or not - no, it is not difficult to grow. It is actually fairly easy to grow, imo.

Grow intermediate to warm, (55 F - 90 F).

Moderate humidity, (60% - 80%).

Moderately bright indirect light.

Moderate air flow.

Let dry slightly before watering again. Do not leave it completely dry for more than 1 day.

Hope this helps clear things up.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck, and please do post your progress. We appreciate progress posts a lot.

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome!
I am not sure how helpful this reply will be but I will give it a try!
I think you will find that you have an excellent choice of orchids with a hot climate. Vandas, Cattleyas, Laelias, certain dendrobiums and many others do well in a hot climate.
To find specific names of hot-growing orchids, you could look at Andy's Orchid's website or Oak Hill Garden's website where they list the conditions that orchids need. Andy's Orchids has a search option where you could select the temperature range to make it easier to find what you want. I usually copy and paste any names of orchids I like into a document as I browse or, if I am really interested, I bookmark them. Good luck and let us know what you buy!
The reason you are getting conflicting advice is because in different climates, orchids must be grown differently. Moss would probably be a good choice for you. I have found that moss does best with basket pots as it allows for even drying. I don't use bark so I can't really say how that would work in your climate. Because I live in Ohio and have my plants outside for the summer and indoors for our dark/dim winters, I grow my orchids mostly in LECA (clay pellets) or red lava rock, and, sometimes, NZ sphagnum moss.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There are a few native Cuban orchids for sale.

One such orchid would be Encyclia phoenicea.

Some native Floridian orchids can be grown quite easily in your area as well.

Occasionally a few native Jamaican orchids make it in the market as well.

Broughtonia sanguinea is one of them.

[member]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

At this stage, I am concerned that the roots are kind of flying out of the pot in all sorts of directions. If you look at the pic, you can see they are growing vertical. I am not sure if that is normal or not? I also am not sure if those roots are supposed to white either?

In your opinion, looking at the pic, would you be repotting this ASAP?

Is rain water okay to water with? Or should I use chlorinated tap water?

HAHA you are funny with your flower/genital reference! I am very acquainted with this orchids genitals and they smell delicious. Like chocolate, but again, I am more concerned with repotting and so forth

You said a medium sized bark. Is there a particular type of tree bark? Should I go grab some from my tree, sterilize it, and use that bark? Or just buy a commercial orchid bark?

ANDDDD one more, what should I pot it in? Just a bigger plastic pot?

Thanks again

---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Hello and welcome!
I am not sure how helpful this reply will be but I will give it a try!

To find specific names of hot-growing orchids, you could look at Andy's Orchid's website or Oak Hill Garden's website where they list the conditions that orchids need.

VERY helpful actually! Thank you.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The orchid can be afforded a larger pot.

Make sure you water the roots thoroughly before even messing around with it.

You may use a plastic pot. I prefer a clear plastic pot, so that the light can get to the roots and so I can look at what's going on in the root zone. An opaque plastic pot works fine as well.

With this particular orchid, my preference is not to use a clay pot. The roots are too fine, and they are prone to damage if treated too roughly. As the orchid's roots grow, they can attach themselves to the surfaces of the pot, and if grown in a clay pot, removing the orchid from the pot without destroying the pot would be quite a challenge. With a plastic pot, if the roots stick to the surfaces of the pot, you can still squeeze the pot and hopefully make the wetted roots pop off the surfaces.

The type of bark is preferably the fir bark used for orchids that you find in places like various garden centers, nurseries, The Home Depot, Lowes, or Orchard Supply and Hardware.

[member]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

The orchid can be afforded a larger pot.

Make sure you water the roots thoroughly before even messing around with it.



With this particular orchid, my preference is not to use a clay pot. The roots are too fine, and they are prone to damage is treated too roughly. As the orchid's roots grow, they can attach themselves to the surfaces of the pot, and if grown in a clay pot, removing the orchid from the pot without destroying the pot would be quite a challenge.

This makes total sense. Thank you!

Hrmmm I can't say that I have ever seen a clear plastic pot for sale though. I should probably peek at ebay for those. Thank you again, you've been very helpful.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Btw, there are places online that sell fir bark used for growing orchids as well.

You might want to consider checking out places such as:

Tindara's Orchids (Tindara's Orchid Supplies, Orchid Pots, Mix, Potting Tools)

or

RePotme.com (Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer)

Clear plastic pots can be purchased at places such as:

Chula Orchids (Chula Orchids - Clear Pots - Orchid Supplies - Plant Clips)

RePotme.com (Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer)

Tindara's Orchids (Tindara's Orchid Supplies, Orchid Pots, Mix, Potting Tools)

There are many other places as well. Just do a Google search.

[tarev]

Welcome! Welcome!
That is one lovely Onc! You are so lucky if you use rainwater! Orchids love that a lot! Wish we have that here..too dry here!

Between tap water and rainwater..nice to use rainwater more often if you can. Onc love being moist a lot. In your area, since it seems it rains a lot, then your bark media would do just fine. Those roots just like going everywhere, no harm there. They like to climb.

The differences in growing our orchids is due to our individual microclimates..so some may need to put some sphagnum moss to retain more moisture. Others may not have a need for it at all. Really a matter of preference.

In my experience growing Onc, I have always found them very water needy, primarily too because my area is so hot and dry. But your area seems hot but humid, so I think your Onc will just be happy to grow there.

Anyways, good luck and happy growing!

[NYCorchidman]

Repotting plants while in bloom may or may not affect the flowers. Not repotting is probably the wise thing if you want to make sure you enjoy the flowers for as long as possible. then if repotting needs to be done, then repot.

Pretty much all oncidium hybrids take the same general care. They also make great beginner's orchids, and especially Sharry baby is about the easiest and toughest orchids to grow and enjoy.
So you picked a great one!

In your climate, you can even leave it outside year round.

They will thrive in bright light, but not in the direct sun, which will look the leaves.
It can take morning sun fine as long as the temperature is not too intense.
Maybe under the light shade of taller trees or hanging under light shade cloth?
That is how some of my friends grow these in Florida.

With such a tiny pot, it will dry out fast.
You want to water it good, especially when it is growing actively. You can repot this plant into much larger pot with chunky mix like it is in now. then you can water copiously without worrying about overwatering.

Your plant looks healthy by the way. Sharry baby often comes with ugly leaves, which I hate.

I suggest hanging the pot or use something heavy as the plants get quite large fast and may tip over.
Once it gets going, which does not take long at all, it will be like a weed and throwing many spikes with hundreds of little fragrant flowers.

I love this plant, but gave it away. It just got too big.
Some people call it Sharry Monster for that reason. haha

Enjoy~