I know what it is, but how do I care for it?

[Boshia]

I'm in a strange situation... I went to Home Depot to pick up some guinea pig phals, and I guess they had a recent shipment, because I saw something new. Even though I know nothing at all about it, I picked it up and now I'm scrambling trying to find information about it. The tag that came with it says it is a Dgmra. Pluto's Drummer 'Pacific Pink'. Upon some reading it seems to be some really weird hybrid. But how do I care for it? What are the temperature ranges, what potting media do I use? How much sunlight does it need? It has these bulb things as the base, if I take it out to repot it will I have to pot each one separately?


Here are some pictures, maybe this will explain why I couldn't pass it up...

[Zoi2]

Basic oncidium care.
If you repot, I would not divide the plant, it can stay in that size pot for quite a while longer.
Joann

[Boshia]

So the bulbs aren't separate entities, they are all connected?

[Zoi2]

Right, they are not separate entities.
Joann

[Boshia]

Thank you

[lotis146]

Degarmoara = Dgmra

It's an intergeneric Oncidium hybrid. I have one, different hybrid but same genus. Mine came down with some strange ailment so I divided it...long story but I do believe it prefers to be a bit on the warmer side, at least it doesn't like cooler night time temps especially.

You might want to do some research on Oncidiums and the difference between sympodial and monopodial orchids. They are all part of the same plant. While Phals bloom from the same plant - sometimes the same spike if it stays green - Oncidiums (among many others) start a new growth from pseudobulbs that have since bloomed. Some pbulbs will bloom more than once otherwise your next spike will come from the next growth, which ultimately develops a pseudobulb as well. The plant will continue to grow more and more, getting bigger, assuming it remains healthy. But do some research, there's much much more than I can even say.

Beautiful plant. My Dgmra's spike died after I divided. Now I'm waiting patiently for its new growth to grow and mature though I don't expect another spike for quite some time, possibly a year or two for all I know...(still learning myself)...

[Ray]

Actually, that's considered to be an aliceara now.

That hybrid has a pretty substantial amount of cool growers in its background, so I'd put it in intermediate light levels (more than phals, less than catts), and intermediate temperatures. An air-conditioned house would be fine.

It appears to be in a relatively coarse medium, which is good, and it appears to be relatively fresh, to, so I wouldn't repot it any time soon.

To elaborate on Joann's response earlier - these are sympodial plants. The individual growths are connected via a rhizome, and that allows them to share resources. Even when old pseudobulbs lose leaves, and start to wrinkle, as long as they are still green, they are photosynthesizing, and storing and sharing water and nutrients with the entire "colony".

A general rule of thumb I stick to when dividing, is to keep a minimum of three old growths, plus one new one with roots just emerging, per division.

[lotis146]

Thanks Ray! That's an easier name at that. I can see where I may be mistaken in that my plant was kept near a south window this winter and there was a draft coming up from the floor. The new growth was doing really well and then just suddenly stalled. I moved it to a new location away from the draft with lower light and it has slowly starting growing again now with new roots. I've got a bunch of other plants in the first location that are doing well enough so I concluded this plant must not like that draft but I guess that really just means it doesn't like winter drafts!

[Boshia]

Right now I have it outside with my other phals, but it gets up into the 90's here. I can bring it inside, but I think I would have to use supplemental lighting if I do that. I have a fluorescent T5 light that is rated as 8,000k. Would this be ok for this plant? I used it for my aquarium before and it grew medium/low plants fine. On another note, if it's not good enough for the Aliceara, is the light at least good for growing phals like Phal Samera?

[silken]

I grow a few similar hybrids like yours. Our temps get to 80 and 90 occasionally and as long as it is getting moving air and can cool off at night it should be fine outside, out of direct sunlight.