Problems encountered with oncidium and miltonidium

[LiveLaughGrowOrchids]

Thanks! I'll give it a go!

[silken]

Good luck.

[Ferns Daddy]

I keep my oncidium on the root bound side they seem to like it, you leaves look fine there crinkled from lack of water, but new growth will be better looking.

[tarev]

I find Onc like to be in a tighter fit in a container. In my location they like frequent watering. The crinkled leaves can be both humidity issues and problems at the root zone. Although they like being watered often, the root zone has to allow the roots to get good aeration too. During winter, I just water the root zone and with some interval too, since they are indoors. During warmer season, I have them out in the growcamp and there I can freely water the entire plant. They just love being watered a whole lot more compared to other orchids I have just have to mind the prevailing temperature. Doing that, it is able to grow better leaves, those old crinkly leaves will just dry off eventually.

I do use finer bark mix with Onc. since their roots are slimmer than the Phals.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Ferns Daddy

I keep my oncidium on the root bound side they seem to like it, .

Originally Posted by tarev

I find Onc like to be in a tighter fit in a container.

I do use finer bark mix with Onc. since their roots are slimmer than the Phals.

In what way do the two of you find your oncidiums like tight potting?
I have one of the yellow ones, and it is in a large pot. When I got it it was in a 'buy to die' pot, and when I saw how bad the roots were (they were like wood wool) I repotted it even tho it was in bloom.
In the large pot it seems very happy and has had a lovely spike up for over two months now. I'd like to keep it in a bigger pot, as if it is able to grow bigger and throw more spikes, it shoud be amazing.

I have read on here that the finer the root, the finer the medium.

[Ferns Daddy]

I grow most of my Oncidiums in lava stones or a mix of bark and lava stone, this way I can't over water them but they get watered about every 3 or 4 days in the summer and 4 or 6 days in the winter because they don't dry out as fast.

[tarev]

Originally Posted by bil

In what way do the two of you find your oncidiums like tight potting?
I have one of the yellow ones, and it is in a large pot. When I got it it was in a 'buy to die' pot, and when I saw how bad the roots were (they were like wood wool) I repotted it even tho it was in bloom.
In the large pot it seems very happy and has had a lovely spike up for over two months now. I'd like to keep it in a bigger pot, as if it is able to grow bigger and throw more spikes, it shoud be amazing.

I have read on here that the finer the root, the finer the medium.

Just my own observation with my Onc orchids and better understanding why it wants it that way. Considering the changing seasons, if it is in too big a container, it will take quite awhile longer to dry out all the wet media in there. Although it does appreciate getting frequent watering, it will not like being too soggy wet, depending on the season of course. In summer, when it is hot and dry here, I can let them go in standing water for a couple of days, no harm done. If I do that during cold season, I will kill the roots for sure. In a tighter container but with proper drainage, it will allow the water to pass through the roots and let it get the moisture it needs, and at the same time, lesser media to keep it too soaking wet. It may vary depending on our individual micro climates and watering habits, but in my area, that is how I grow mine.

And in repotting, one has to consider how much roots you have. Maybe your growing conditions (temperature/humidity/location) are better compared to ours. Who knows..I am happy it works for you though.

[bil]

Originally Posted by tarev

Just my own observation with my Onc orchids and better understanding why it wants it that way. Considering the changing seasons, if it is in too big a container, it will take quite awhile longer to dry out all the wet media in there. Although it does appreciate getting frequent watering, it will not like being too soggy wet, depending on the season of course. In summer, when it is hot and dry here, I can let them go in standing water for a couple of days, no harm done. If I do that during cold season, I will kill the roots for sure. In a tighter container but with proper drainage, it will allow the water to pass through the roots and let it get the moisture it needs, and at the same time, lesser media to keep it too soaking wet. It may vary depending on our individual micro climates and watering habits, but in my area, that is how I grow mine.

And in repotting, one has to consider how much roots you have. Maybe your growing conditions (temperature/humidity/location) are better compared to ours. Who knows..I am happy it works for you though.

Yeah, from what I am seeing, it is clear that certain watering styles mean that a large, deep pot is a bad idea for those people. We are pretty dry here, and in the summer very hot. I work my media on the moisture needs. So, fat root epiphytes go in coarse bark, with little or no fine material, whereas oncidiums and finer roots get more fine materials. However even there, in future I am keeping them in shallow pots to ensure that the water goes in and out fairly sharpish.
I wouldn't dare leave mine in standing water, and all my pots are free draining.

[orchids44]

ONCIDIUMS natural habitat is their roots growing in tiny, dark crevices. The roots are very inter-twined. After taking mine out of clear, big pots and transferring to dark, smaller clay pots they sprouted new growth quickly. I also have 2 that are mounted on cork and growing well.
I have 2 oscillating fans on low speed 24/7. In the winter they do like a bit of dormancy, watering about once every 10-14 days. The humidifiers help a lot since the indoor heat is on for several months...and decreases the accordion leaves.
Hope this helps.