shriveling bulbs

[Mo Boggie]

Hi, I have several orchids, that have shriveling bulbs; sherry baby oncidium, carpenterara, odtna, and mtssa. I have some in moss and others in a bark mix. I am guilty of multiple overwatering offenses. I have my orchids under lights with a humidifier running during the day. How do i maintain healthy bulbs n roots. What medium do you recommend, and should I only water when mix is dry in center? Oy! They look like prunes. Help!!!

[WhiteRabbit]

Shriveled pbulbs can be the result of over, or under watering - over watering rots the roots, and the plant can't take up water.

I'd recommend using skewers in the media to help determine when to water. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hen-water.html
I'd water the ones you have before media is completely dry.

You may want to check on the condition of the roots.

I've also had good results putting a small amount of styrofoam into the center of the root mass or pot - it helps the media to dry more evenly (no sogginess in the center, when the rest of the media is dry).

[Mo Boggie]

Do you recommend moss, or fine bark mix for oncidium's?

[No-Pro-mwa]

I think if your an over waterier fine bark mix would be best.

[WhiteRabbit]

Fine bark mix sounds good to me, too