Basic questions about oncidium sharry baby...

[Tetra73]

I think I am in trouble...my orchid collection is growing BUT my grow tent isn't that big and my budget is limited. I just ordered a 8" size oncidium sharry baby from a well reputed ebay seller.

From most photos I saw, it could grow pretty big with 2ft+ long flower spikes. My question is that how big can this orchid get under humid condition with 2000 FC light under 15 hours of photoperiod. Is it a slow or fast grower? My tent is only 4ft tall and 2ft deep and 5ft long. Lighting intensity drops off pretty quick when below 1ft. I want to hang this oncidium as close to the light as possible.

Thanks..

[gngrhill]

Sharry Baby does not need a terrific amount of light. Mine does fine on a window sill with filtered light. It is in spike right now. They can grow really long inflorescences.

[estación seca]

It gets big. It probably doesn't need to stay in your tent. Over the winter that would be nice, but it is smaller now.

[gngrhill]

Oncidiums like Sharry baby and some others will get really spotted leaves in a high humidity, high temp, high light situation. Doesn't hurt 'em, but doesn't look very nice.

[Leafmite]

It is a beautiful orchid but it does grow quickly and gets quite large. I do not have the space for one but I always admire them when someone brings them to our OS meetings.

[Tetra73]

Thanks everyone. I would worry about it when it gets that big..4ft long flower spikes...hehehehe...

[zelda]

They grow like weeds and easily divide themselves. I started off with two and somehow ended up with 6 clumps. Four just went into the compost bin. Real estate is expensive in my grow area.

[Tetra73]

Well, my oncidium arrived today, about few hours ago. It has two pseudobulbs. About the size a half dollar coin (US). One bulb with a much shorter leaf is somewhat darker looking. The other is more lime green and with a foot long leaf. I assume this bulb is the newer growth? It looks and feels a bit fragile. Little to no root rots but the roots by the crown feel kind of small and fragile. There are some peripheral roots near the surface..they are more robust. They are currently being potted with some sphagnum moss.

I found a hitchhiker, a green, translucent spider. Before I repotted it, I soaked the plant in homemade insecticide soup (20% Dawn 20% rubbing alcohol, and 60% water in room temperature).

I am currently battling some small insects making some pitted marks on my dendrobium new leaves. I have reduced my humidity to around 75% and stopping misting on the leaves.

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[estación seca]

20% dish soap may kill a lot of plants. Most people would use no more than a tablespoon / 30ml in a quart / liter of water, and even that much is probably more than needed. 20% rubbing alcohol will probably kill no insects.

[Leafmite]

Spiders are good.

The other insects, not so good.

I just tried diatomaceous earth (food grade) to get rid of a bit of scale that I found on the orchids. I used a brush to dust all the leaves and medium with the stuff and we shall see....