Onc. Sharry Baby from Hausermann

[Irisha99]

Hello, guys. Just received this baby from Hausermann’s in spike. I think it looks pretty good but looks like it has overgrown it’s pot and needs to be repotted. It’s, however, in spike... so my question is, repot it now or wait until it done blooming? I can’t really tell the condition of its roots so not sure how to proceed. Please advise! Thanks a lot! 😜

[JScott]

If it came from Hausermann, you can count on the roots being in good condition.

I find that Oncidiums tend to be a little more sensitive to repotting than others. If it was perhaps a Phal, I'd say go ahead and repot, but for Oncidiums, I'd recommend waiting until the blooms are gone and the new growths are a couple inches tall or so. If the plant was sick, or growing in an inappropriate medium, like sphagnum moss, it might be worth the risk to go ahead and do it, but this is a happy plant in good condition, so I don't see any reason to rush it.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by JScott

If it came from Hausermann, you can count on the roots being in good condition.

I find that Oncidiums tend to be a little more sensitive to repotting than others. If it was perhaps a Phal, I'd say go ahead and repot, but for Oncidiums, I'd recommend waiting until the blooms are gone and the new growths are a couple inches tall or so. If the plant was sick, or growing in an inappropriate medium, like sphagnum moss, it might be worth the risk to go ahead and do it, but this is a happy plant in good condition, so I don't see any reason to rush it.

Thanks a lot for a quick response!

[JScott]

Be aware that you might have to water it pretty regularly. The pot is probably packed with roots, and all those roots in such a small space will soak up the water pretty fast.

And you're welcome

[charlesf6]

Yes I agree your plant looks very happy right now I would wait it out.

[Irisha99]

THANKS Charles and Scott!

[greenpassion]

Nice Onc! I had one that was about that size but sadly I didn't know at the time how to care for it

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Nice Onc! I had one that was about that size but sadly I didn't know at the time how to care for it

Thanks! It’s pretty, yes. I hope I am capable of taking good care of it. I am a newbie myself

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Irisha99

Thanks! It’s pretty, yes. I hope I am capable of taking good care of it. I am a newbie myself

You came to the right place! Lots of people with lots experience, who love to share what they have learned. We were all newbies at some time or another. And all still leaning, no matter how many years we have been growing orchids. That's the joy of it!

[estación seca]

Yes, wait to repot until after it's done flowering, and it's growing again. That will probably be sometime in February or March, as the weather warms a little, and days aren't quite so dark.

Oncidium mericlones like this are moved into this size pot when they are quite a bit smaller, for final sale when they are in bud. By that time they have been in that pot and medium about 2 years. They are usually outgrowing the pot, and the medium is almost shot. So they do need to be repotted with the new growth cycle.

In the mean time it will need frequent watering. Although the root system will be dense, there is just not much room for roots in that small pot. Hausermann uses large chunk bark for their Oncidiums. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to water this plant every 1-2 days now.