Oncidium roots look weired

[Natalie rose]

So I got an ocdium orchid for the first time and it’s been difficult. When I got it the bulbs were shriveled and the leaves were a tellowish green with small black dots on a few of the leaves. The roots were like spaghetti noodles that were white and looks dehydrated. So about three moths later the bulbs are still shriveled the leaves are still droopy, and the roots are still int e same condition except some of the roots near the surface have black tips. And when I pulled on it to see if it was mushy the roots came off like a shell. And all that was left was a white strings that looked like a hair. At one point there was three new leaves growing but then they stopped for some reason. So if you have any advice on what I should do are any tips please let me know. Thanks

[JScott]

The roots with the outer layer coming off and leaving the hair-like core behind are dead. Are all of the roots like that? If all of the roots are dead, that would certainly stop the new growth from continuing to grow. The black dots are pretty common among Oncidium hybrids, but the roots are definitely cause for concern.

What is it potted in? How often are you watering? How much light is it getting? Where are you growing it? What kind of pot is it planted in? Can you post a picture of the plant?

If the whole root system is dead, the plant may or may not survive. Keep the humidity high, and treat it with KelpMax. You may want to place it in a plastic bag with some moist sphagnum moss in the bottom to encourage root growth. While you are waiting for the plant to either recover or finish dying, I'd recommend you get a healthy Oncidium to distract you from the sick one.

[Natalie rose]

No not all of the roots are like that it’s in a plastic pot with a little stag I’m moss. And then the plastic pot is in a clay pot. It’s not planted in a compact medium because for awhile I thought it was root rot but luckily it wasn’t. So it’s in the pot with some moss. Also I refrained from watering it too much bc I thought it was root rot it’s in a room where it gets a good deal of light

[JScott]

The pseudobulbs are shriveled because the plant is not taking up sufficient water. That happens either because the plant doesn't have enough good roots to take up enough water, or there is not enough water available to the plant.

I hate sphagnum moss for any of my plants, but I think it's particularly awful for Oncidiums. Was the plant growing in sphag when you bought it, or did you repot it into sphag? I'd recommend small bark for Oncidiums (you can add other stuff like perlite or lava rock if it thrills you, but just straight small bark works as well).

If the roots are still good, yet the plant is severely shriveled, it may just be that you aren't watering enough. Oncidiums don't like to dry out between waterings (though nor should they be constantly wet).

[Natalie rose]

I would say I probably don’t give it enough water like u said, and it did come with the moss when I got it. When I first got the orchid it wasn’t in the best shape. I was able to get a discount on it bc of its shape.

[WhiteRabbit]

Generally, pbulbs won't plump back up, so don't judge your watering by that. New growth should come in with un-pleated leaves, and develop nice plump pbulbs in the future with good roots, and correct watering

[MimiLovesOrchids]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Generally, pbulbs won't plump back up, so don't judge your watering by that. New growth should come in with un-pleated leaves, and develop nice plump pbulbs in the future with good roots, and correct watering

Thank you. I was going to ask whether pbulbs plumb back up if they are wrinkled. I just received my first Oncidium and am still trying to figure out the watering frequency for my beautiful plant. I have been caring for 15 phals successfully, some now are 3 years old, but I realize that my new Colmanara Masai Red has different needs. None of its pbulbs are wrinkled yet. I am watching it closely as I don't think the potting media is appropriate for it. It looks like regular potting soil that you would use for any tropical plant. I plan to repot it as soon as it goes out of bloom.

[JScott]

If the plant is so dry that the pseudobulbs are, like, flat, then they will swell back up some as they start to get enough water. They will always be wrinkled and will never look like they did before, but they will plumb back up to some degree.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, Natalie rose!

Oncidiums need a lot of water when growing. It is best for the sphagnum moss to cycle between wet and moist, and not dry out.

Fortunately, they are tough plants, and usually come back if allowed to lose their roots through drying out. I'm guessing you didn't water enough. That killed the roots, and the developing growth stopped growing or died.

They mostly like cooler temperatures than many other orchids. Indoor winter temperatures, usually cooler than in summer, are fine for them.

People grow them successfully in sphagnum moss and in bark. If you tend to forget to water plants, sphagnum is probably a better choice. If you tend to water too much, choose bark.

Oncidiums only make new roots when new growths are forming. Until that happens, try to keep the plant somewhere very humid. Water remaining roots well; don't let them dry out. And keep the plant in bright shade. If the plant is to survive (which is likely), it will make a new green shoot from the base. New roots will soon follow. From that point don't let the new roots dry out.

People also rescue (and grow) them in water culture. You can use the Search function in the top maroon bar to search on this phrase.

[boxster1990]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome to the Orchid Board, Natalie rose!

Oncidiums need a lot of water when growing. It is best for the sphagnum moss to cycle between wet and moist, and not dry out.

Fortunately, they are tough plants, and usually come back if allowed to lose their roots through drying out. I'm guessing you didn't water enough. That killed the roots, and the developing growth stopped growing or died.

They mostly like cooler temperatures than many other orchids. Indoor winter temperatures, usually cooler than in summer, are fine for them.

People grow them successfully in sphagnum moss and in bark. If you tend to forget to water plants, sphagnum is probably a better choice. If you tend to water too much, choose bark.

Oncidiums only make new roots when new growths are forming. Until that happens, try to keep the plant somewhere very humid. Water remaining roots well; don't let them dry out. And keep the plant in bright shade. If the plant is to survive (which is likely), it will make a new green shoot from the base. New roots will soon follow. From that point don't let the new roots dry out.

People also rescue (and grow) them in water culture. You can use the Search function in the top maroon bar to search on this phrase.

Just curious - could you clarify if the roots need to be moist? Is it okay if they are in a well draining medium that doesnt retain water like moss does? (I'm using Lechuza Pon, which is a substrate with zeolite, pumice, and light lava. Size of granules are about the same as the candy, Nerds.)