Oncidium- Rotting pseudobulbs and pests?

[Pumpkin92]

I went out of town today and picked up 2 clearance orchids at Lowes. Well they looked like they were in good shape so I grabbed a Onc. Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' and a Bllr. Tahoma Glacier 'Green'.

The Sharry Baby was almost perfect but the Beallara was a pain. Firstly, as soon as I pulled out the moss I found a rotten bulb and it looks like there might be 2 more victims. I couldn't see this cause the moss was covering it in the store and only the green part was showing. The pbulbs still feel firm despite browning.

Next, I found white wormy thingys which might have been little caterpillars on it. Then I found my first ever snail which grossed me out to no end. I don't get common plant pests where I live cause its too hot even for bugs. There was no way in hell I was going to risk infecting my other plants so I went a little crazy with sanitation. I took it outside washed it off (roots too), hung it upside-down to dry, sprayed plant insect killer everywhere, then sprayed Fungicide (includes more insect killer) to make sure it wouldn't rot where the water went into the leaves. This was over the course of 5 hours. Now its back inside soaking in some water since the fungicide dehydrates the roots.

So, I know the Beallara will probably go into shock after what I did. I know I took a big risk for more rot by washing it off, but what should I do know? If those pbulbs are goners do I remove them now or wait? Can they still feed the other growths? Also, how do I know I got all the bugs? Should I spray it with something else? Any other advice? These are my 4th & 5th oncidium types so I'm still learning A LOT.

Here are the pics of what the looked like in store and the pbulbs of Bllra.

[Pumpkin92]

I forgot to mention the Sharry Baby got the same treatment cause it was on the same rack, different shelf, although I couldn't find a single bug on it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Pictures will help, but in general, on Oncidium-types, I remove pseudobulbs that are turning a straw brown color. The only question I have is how many pseudobulbs have turned brown? If you have some healthy ones (all green) the plant should recover.

Added later
DOH !!!
For some reason, I missed seeing those pictures before.

[Ray]

I'm with OW on this one.

I'd bet that the older pseudobulbs rotted at the base because they were buried too deeply in the moss. I doubt it'll be too much of an issue, as there appears to be enough of the plant that's in good shape to keep it viable.

[Pumpkin92]

I went to take a picture of the plant again to ask a question because in daylight, there's definately discoloration on one more bulb. Well look at what I found:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...posted-public/

I almost had a heart attack when I saw that! The only good thing is my dad is a fisherman and I hook my own worms when I go with him but this one is creeping me out... How on earth am I supposed to clean this poor orchid!?

AND here's a better picture of the pbulbs. The biggest two in the back are in great shape, but the one in the center looks discolored where the leaves were. I'm pretty sure there might've been water trapped in there as these were kept outside in Lowes and they get watered with a hose.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...posted-public/
So does that count as rot or something else?

[estación seca]

The last photo shows an earthworm. It won't harm your plant. Its presence indicates the pot was set on the ground for some time, and the worm crawled up into it.

I would return the plants to the nearest Home Depot. You don't have to return them to the store where you bought them. Why go to all this trouble when you can buy healthy plants?

[wintergirl]

Not sure people can return clearance plants. I think when you buy a plant on clearance you know it has issues.

[cjm3fl]

I've purchased a couple of those discount orchids from Lowes.
Some of the fun is finding out what color the blooms will be.

I've purchased three Phals last year, and my first (and presently only) Den, which happens to be my oldest orchid I own.

There's something about 50% off of something that is already 50% off---and still alive.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin92

I went to take a picture of the plant again to ask a question because in daylight, there's definately discoloration on one more bulb. Well look at what I found:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...posted-public/

I almost had a heart attack when I saw that! The only good thing is my dad is a fisherman and I hook my own worms when I go with him but this one is creeping me out... How on earth am I supposed to clean this poor orchid!?

AND here's a better picture of the pbulbs. The biggest two in the back are in great shape, but the one in the center looks discolored where the leaves were. I'm pretty sure there might've been water trapped in there as these were kept outside in Lowes and they get watered with a hose.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...posted-public/
So does that count as rot or something else?

The worm is no big deal (earthworm, not a pest). Set the unpotted plant on the ground for 5 minutes and the worm will move out on its own.

The second photo, I am not seeing cut-and-dry evidence of rot, as I did in your first photos. No sharp line between what is green and what has yellowed a bit. Use your best judgement as to what to remove, what to keep.

---------- Post added at 04:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 PM ----------

I purchased a Ctna. 'Why Not' seedling from Lowes about a week ago at quite a discount - only $2 US. It was dehydrated, I left it out in the rain over a 3-day rain event - BOOM! It is looking great except for some discoloration on the leaves, likely due to the dehydration. I expect a full recovery. It has a new lead developing.

The $2 plus tax is the only money I have spent on orchids this year. I have intentionally tried not to take in any more orchids than I have space for, balancing what I give away with what I accept in trade or as gifts from friends. I suspect I will still need to give away some plants when they move indoors in a couple weeks.

[cjm3fl]

This discussion got me thinking....
It's been awhile since I've looked in the back of Lowes' garden center.