How to repot large overgrown climbing Oncidium type

[Dezzie]

I have just recieved two overgrown and neglected oncidium type NOIDs. All the newest pseudobulbs are a good 30cms above the medium, all the growths have become smaller and smaller and the plant is obviously dehydrated as roots are sooo far from the medium. I would like to keep the larger of the two as a specimen size plant but am having trouble even potting the climbing divisions I made from the smaller one. Can anyone help with advise on how to repot it, I have researched and read some advise that its ok to bury the lowest bulbs…which would seem necessary in this case I think. There are 26 bulbs with all roots above the media and only the original huge one actually potted. Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks.

First pic is the one I have divided. Pic 3 and 4 are back and front shot of the divisions Im not sure how to position/pot without burying bulbs.
Second photo I would prefer to keep together and pot if possible.
The new growths are small and I think they will recover better if I keep them attached to the older bulbs?

[cjm3fl]

Any chances of breaking it up? Making several new plants from the original ones?

It's a thought...
If there are too many for you to manage, they'd make nice garden gift to anyone you know into orchids.

I'm not familiar enough with oncidium to give you serious advise. But when my Phal's get too crowded I just turn 1 into 3 or 5, or ?


Edit:
My Maxillaria tenuifolia is in the same boat.
But it's in bloom right now (13 blooms so far) so I'll wait a week or two (the blooms haven't been long lasting) until the blooming is done.

[estación seca]

Welcome, Dezzie!

Do you have a name for your plant? Not many Oncidiums clmb out of pots.

After you have made 5 posts you an add a photo, which will also help.

My first instinct would be to mount a runner like that on the bottom of a hanging branch and let it run.

[Dezzie]

Thanks for your replys.

Yes, I could make divisions from this big one, as I have done with the smaller one I got with it. From appearances they are quite possibly divisions from the same plant originally. Also, I am even having the same problem with trying to pot the other divisions, though on a smaller scale.
As most of my orchid collection is young or small plants and divisions, I would love to keep this monster as one large specimen and bring it back to full health if possible. I would love to see the full display it could put on then! I could split it and plant the divisions in the same pot, but if I ever get the courage to join an orchid society (anxiety issues unfortunately!), I would love to have the option of having a specimen plant which must be in one piece I believe.

I have no info/name for these orchids. I saw them for only $6 each, and as they are such monsters I had to get them regardless of what they are They lady I got them from had recieved them as a gift from someone else and had no knowldge or experience with orchids.
Will post photos as soon as I figure out how, hopefully I can do it with my phone >< and have the required posts.
Re: the climbing nature, after researching it, so far, the closest I have found to this growth pattern and size of bulbs too is references too Oncidium Sphacelatum...
Have seen Onc Sweet Sugars climbing nature but not this severe. The leaves are thin too not like the sweet sugar I have.
Thanks again!

[estación seca]

Your local orchid society, or an Australian orchid society, may have an online discusson group such as this one.

Most people understand anxiety issues and are quite willing to type rather than talk with a newcomer, until (if ever) the newcomer want to meet just one new person over coffee or whatever.

[Optimist]

Hi Dezzie, I saw your intro too. What's the Gold Coast, like-- meaning climate and culture? If you want to keep your plant together you might be able to mount it on a "climbing" type branch or piece of wood, and sink it in a large pot of something like Lava stone to steady it and provide a moisture tray, or whatever you can get there in Australia. (I am where there are many defunct volcanoes, so there is lava everywhere here). Use zip ties to mount it to the branch. Remember also that as it grows is when to "train" it, like the espalier of the rose bush.

[Dezzie]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I have just started looking into local or somewhat local orchid clubs etc but havent found much online presence yet. In searching, I actually found the sites directing me here for the best info. I will look into it more though for sure, thanks for making me feel more comfortable
I would love to mount it to a tree but dont own the property, maybe oneday Ill have blooms hanging from my own trees
I think I have managed to add the photos to my album, but am still unable to link them at the moment.

[estación seca]

Find a downed branch or trunk somewhere, and mount the orchid on a cut section. Tie the roots to the trunk with dental floss or fishing line. Palm trunks work well. I would guess an old piece of Eucalyptus wood might also work.

[Dezzie]

Optimist,
The conditions here are great, I feel very lucky to be growing orchids here! The humidity is usually around 50 or higher, winter temps can get down to 8c/46f so I do bring some inside then. Also I have to bring others inside in summer when the temps can get up to around 40c/105f.
Some type of mount in a pot is a great idea, thanks! Im happy to hear you also mention lava rock, as I have recently moved almost all my orchids into this with great results so far, even my phals.
Thanks for your comments

---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------


Hope this works This is the "smaller" one, going by the number of pseudobulbs. I split this one and was left with two divisions that Im still unsure how to pot, and three small single growths I potted together that were growing 180° from the rest of the bulbs.

---------- Post added at 03:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------


And this is the one I was hoping to leave in one piece and somehow pot, with lava rock.

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Find a downed branch or trunk somewhere, and mount the orchid on a cut section. Tie the roots to the trunk with dental floss or fishing line. Palm trunks work well. I would guess an old piece of Eucalyptus wood might also work.

Yeah, this was my first thought, except, how about using a nice forked branch?

The images show the mount gibbet I made for easier mount making, and the empty mount, the same mount with the C maxima in place, and the final with the moss tied on.
I have a odontoglossum (I think that is what it is) which is a bit of a climber, and I am giving that serious consideration.