First non-phal orchid questions (Brassia, Prosthechea, Oncidium)

[callym]

I've collected quite a few phals over the past year or so (can't say no to sad-looking reduced supermarket rescues!) and since they all seem quite happy (one's just rebloomed, another is currently growing three! new spikes just after finishing flowering, another is growing a new spike too), I thought I'd branch out to some other orchids.

I ordered a "Brassia Rising Star", "Prosthechea garciana" and "Oncidium globuliferum" online, and when they arrived, the Oncidium was in bark and the other two are in moss. It looks like the Oncidium is older/bigger than the other two, so I'm not sure whether they're only in moss because they're smaller and younger so don't like drying out as much?

The rest of my orchids are in bark, should I repot these into bark as well so they're all in the same, or do these prefer moss? If I put them in bark, would I use a finer bark because the roots are smaller?

What do I have to do differently for these orchids compared to my phals? I've read the care sheets the nursery sent and they sound quite similar to phal care but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything! Will these also thrive off the sort of accidental semi-neglect that I treat my phals with or are they more fussy?

Also how quickly should I expect these to grow if they're happy? I'm assuming they're still some time off being flowering size?

Sorry for all the questions haha, I just want to make sure these little plants are going to be happy living with me!

[Dollythehun]

Off the top of my head, the Brassia and Oncidium are thirstier, so I would use moss. They also need more light than your phals, and shouldn't dry completely out. The other plant, I'll leave to others to chime in. To me, all Encyclias (Prosthechea) need something different and I don't grow that one.

[camille1585]

Burnham is good nursery, past UK members on the forum had good things to say about them if I remember right!

Brassica and Oncidium also do well in bark. I use a smaller grade of bark and mix some sphagnum moss into it, and also water more often than the Phals. I never did well with Oncidium types until I realized that they like quite a bit more water than a Phal in order to be happy. With Phals I follow the "when in doubt wait another day to water" approach, while with Oncs it's more like 'when it doubt, just water it!" I'm also guilty of periodically neglecting my orchids, and these guys have generally proven nearly as robust as the Phals, though they'll show their displeasure with wrinkled bulbs and crinkled new leaves.

Oncidium types can flower off quite small plants, so both might flower this year, though next year seems more likely. If they're happy you can expect to at least see one or more new growths in the growing season. They'll also want more light than what Phals are typically given.

Sorry can't help with the last one, I'm completely unfamiliar with that group of orchids.

Welcome to Orchidboard by the way! I see that you're in Glasgow, I've been to Scotland numerous times as some very good friends live in Edinburgh. Lucky you to have the Trossachs nearly in your backyard!

[Ray]

Orchids simply do not have "preferences" in potting media.

What they do have is "requirements", and the grower's job is to find the combination of medium, container, light level, temperature levels and variation, air movement, humidity, and watering frequency that meets those.

Sphagnum in a basket and bark in a plastic pot might both allow one to do that, but what works for one grower might not work for another.

[Dollythehun]

"so I would use moss." I believe this was stated as a preference, since the OP asked. I have no clue as to Scottland's weather or the OP's watering habits. As we all do, I stated from my experience. For ME, even fine bark does not stay quite as damp and the OP stated upfront that she is "semi-neglectful."

[callym]

Thanks so much for the help and replies everyone!

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Off the top of my head, the Brassia and Oncidium are thirstier, so I would use moss. They also need more light than your phals, and shouldn't dry completely out. The other plant, I'll leave to others to chime in. To me, all Encyclias (Prosthechea) need something different and I don't grow that one.

Thanks! By more light, do you mean slightly more? No orchids like direct sunlight do they? Good to know about the drying out! I usually let my phals dry out quite a bit before re-watering them (although from reading on here I think I could water more often! have just been scared of overwatering)

Originally Posted by camille1585

Burnham is good nursery, past UK members on the forum had good things to say about them if I remember right!

They came wrapped up super well, didn't even look like they'd been posted, so I've got no complaints so far with them, good to hear they've got a good reputation

Originally Posted by camille1585

Brassica and Oncidium also do well in bark. I use a smaller grade of bark and mix some sphagnum moss into it, and also water more often than the Phals. I never did well with Oncidium types until I realized that they like quite a bit more water than a Phal in order to be happy. With Phals I follow the "when in doubt wait another day to water" approach, while with Oncs it's more like 'when it doubt, just water it!" I'm also guilty of periodically neglecting my orchids, and these guys have generally proven nearly as robust as the Phals, though they'll show their displeasure with wrinkled bulbs and crinkled new leaves.

I'll keep that in mind! I've got some plants on either end of the spectrum (my aloe vera is more like "when in doubt wait another week to water", and my spider plants seem to be "when in doubt you should have watered a few days ago") It's good to hear that they're not too fragile

Originally Posted by camille1585

Oncidium types can flower off quite small plants, so both might flower this year, though next year seems more likely. If they're happy you can expect to at least see one or more new growths in the growing season. They'll also want more light than what Phals are typically given.

Ah that's great news! I'm not too impatient for them to flower, but if I know it's on the scale of a few years instead of like, ten years, it gives me something to benchmark how well I'm doing against I guess

Originally Posted by camille1585

Welcome to Orchidboard by the way! I see that you're in Glasgow, I've been to Scotland numerous times as some very good friends live in Edinburgh. Lucky you to have the Trossachs nearly in your backyard!

Thanks! I've never been to the Trossachs but I'll put them on my list of places to go visit!

Originally Posted by Ray

Orchids simply do not have "preferences" in potting media.

What they do have is "requirements", and the grower's job is to find the combination of medium, container, light level, temperature levels and variation, air movement, humidity, and watering frequency that meets those.

Sphagnum in a basket and bark in a plastic pot might both allow one to do that, but what works for one grower might not work for another.

Thanks for clearing that up! I guess I have to keep reminding myself that in nature they don't have media at all. I've just got no experience outside of phals, so want to make sure I get all the right information and a range of opinions before doing anything that'd upset my plants. I've heard moss is more difficult for beginners because it stays wet for longer, so that's why I asked whether there was a special reason these ones would be in moss, or whether I should move them to bark so there's less risk of overwatering.

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

"so I would use moss." I believe this was stated as a preference, since the OP asked. I have no clue as to Scottland's weather or the OP's watering habits. As we all do, I stated from my experience. For ME, even fine bark does not stay quite as damp and the OP stated upfront that she is "semi-neglectful."

Scotland's weather is quite cold and damp most of the time haha! I remember when I first rescued a phal and was a bit intimidated by it because orchids seem to have a reputation of being difficult, so I did some quick research and read somewhere that it's better to be on the more neglectful end of the spectrum than killing them with kindness, so that's how I've been treating them. From reading the posts here, I think I've still got a long way to go before they're really happy instead of not dying, like repotting them into fresh bark, fertilising them, actually watering them more than once a month, so hopefully in the future I'll be less neglectful through fear of over-caring for them!

[estación seca]

Prosthechea garciana is in the Cattleya alliance, but it will not tolerate standard Cattleya care. It should not dry out. Sphagnum moss is an excellent choice unless people want to water 1-2 times per day.

The Brassia hybrid likewise should not dry out.

I suggest reading more about Oncidium globuliferum. I seem to recall it may have a few peculiarities. There is a Search function in the top maroon menu.

[Dollythehun]

The OB members have taught me a lot. Especially ES, who has yet to weigh in on your post. I have learned that each branch of the Oncidium tribe seems to have slightly different requirements. But my Brassie and most others need lots of water and the more light the better...except not hot direct sun. I have one constantly moist and just a few inches from the t5 lights. It just spiked. If not for ES, I would have re-homed it. They for sure need more light than phals. Less than cattlaya. The moss I use is a mix. It has cork chips, sponge rock, and bark mixed in. You might try to make your own blend if you feel adventureous.

[jcec1]

I would repot the Brassia into small bark, or there is also a product called Seramis orchid potting mix which I use for most of my orchids.

The Oncidium and Brassia would both do well in either an east or west facing window - I reckon you would need to water once or twice a week in winter depending on how well you heat your home and twice a week at other times.

The Prosthechea I have no idea about as I've never grown one. I would reckon having googled it that it would do best in your brightest window - watering I have no idea.

[camille1585]

Regarding the Scottish climate, it's fairly similar to the Dutch one. At my latitude, Oncidiums can also sit in in front of a window in direct sunlight quite easily, so I expect that it would be the same even further north. Mine are getting about 4-5 hours of direct sun per day in the summer, the rest is very bright light. I've grown them very well in west facing windows, but found east to be a bit trickier (lower bloom count).

My climate is also rather damp, and from experience have found that sphagnum is a bit of a difficult medium in the cooler months 5takes forever to dry out), unless loosely packed and using an aircone pot.

As to the Trossachs, it's a beautiful national park, if you're into hiking. I haven't gone there yet, every time I visit my friends and we plan a hikeing trip, it's raining in the west and we end up hill hiking in the highlands or borders area instead.