Oncidium sharry baby watering schedule

[Cooper baby]

I have a sharry baby living in a southern window. I water about every 4-5 days or so. Should I water it more while growing its psuedobulb?

[rbarata]

I don't have any sharry baby but the general criteria I use to water oncidiums is to let the top of the medium get dry. Then it's time to water.
They like to be moist but not soggy.

[Ray]

In my opinion, plants should not be watered on a schedule, but when they need it, instead.

"When they need it" will be determined by the plant, the potting medium, the pot, and your growing conditions, which can change seasonally, even in your home.

Before retiring and downsizing, I had about 1000 orchids in a greenhouse. Over time, I had adjusted the container and potting media choice for each individual plant, so that I could water them all at once without creating stress on any of them. At that point I could - and did - water them on a schedule, but I still had to change the schedule seasonally.

[Cooper baby]

Thanks guys. I'm new to orchids (growing at Least) and am so nervous I'll overwater. I'm probably underwatering!

[rbarata]

In Oncidiums the symptoms of underwatering are pbulbs shrivelling and leaves' tips get brown and dry (although this one could also be a sign of over fertilizition).

[Ray]

Important orchid care factor #1: orchids need lots of air to the root system.

If you choose your potting medium so that they do, you can water them constantly with no issues.

[Dollythehun]

This is a thirsty plant by nature. If you underwater, you will also noticed accordian pleating in the leaves. My method: Water well and lift, notice the weight. When you lift and it feels lighter, water. Ray's right, a multitude of factors can effect a watering schedule.

[rbarata]

If you underwater, you will also noticed accordian pleasing in the leaves.

Yep, that's another obvious symptom. Carol, thanks for the reminder.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

This is a thirsty plant by nature. If you underwater, you will also noticed accordian pleating in the leaves. My method: Water well and lift, notice the weight. When you lift and it feels lighter, water. Ray's right, a multitude of factors can effect a watering schedule.

I have a Sharry Baby also living in a south window and this is exactly how I determine when to water. Since you are new to growing orchids, you may want to check out the sticky thread on using a skewer to determine when to water:

Using skewers to determine when to water

It looks like your medium is somewhat coarse, and it's in a fairly small pot, so you may find it dries out pretty quickly.

[estación seca]

A lot of non-orchid people read about not overwatering orchids and become afraid. Most of the "don't overwater" message refers to the some common supermarket plants, Phalaenopsis. But Oncidiums need much more water than do Phals to stay healthy. Oncidiums should do better if they never dry out completely.

Your plant seems to be potted in medium to large bark. There are large air spaces in this. It would be hard to overwater an Oncidium in such a medium. How often you water will depend on the temperature and humidity, but I think every 4-5 days is not likely to be enough.