Odontonia or Zygo?

[Roberta]

Looking at the plant, I agree with those who IDed it as an Odont type - pseudobulb shape and spike habit are definitely in the Oncidium tribe. So any comments about Zygos are off topic. These produce new roots when they produce new growths... so potting it when none were in evidence may have set the plant back. Also, it does look like some healthy pseudobulbs got removed... if a p-bulb is firm, it serves as an energy reserve for the plant even if rootless. And less-than-great roots can also hydrate the plant while it is working on new growth. So I am in agreement with ES, being inclined to not cut, since it is too hard to tell what is useful from what isn't... j These do like to be on the damp side. Now, just patience...

OT, you can communicate insights with regard to the original post without attacking other members with whom you may disagree. Stick to the facts, explain your reasoning for observing or doing something that may differ from another opinion, but nobody is "wrong" asking questions, or having an insight that may differ from yours.

[estación seca]

I do grow Oncidiums, including hybrids that prefer cooler temperatures than I have. When I respond to questions I do think about where the questioner lives. I have grown in dark, cold-winter climates.

The photo of the plant in the LECA pot clearly shows a plant that was underwatered. I asked reasonable questions to ascertain whether the plant is potted in such a way that it can grow. As I wrote, I didn't have enough information to answer the question.

Criticising people for asking questions is just about the most useless and juvenile behavior possible on a discussion board. I am not affected in the least by what random anonymous people say on the Internet, but some other people may be. I do not want to see people leave Orchid Board due to callow rude attacks.

[Stevie_White]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

StevieWhite... there's a big difference in the look of that plant from what you said you received "a few months ago" to its present state. I note the change in medium now that it's finished its bloom. To me it appears it was likely already having broken down medium issues and after blooming it went downhill. Did you totally remove a couple of pbulbs? It looks that way. What did the leaves look like prior to losing them on the other pbulbs present? It sort of looks like you may have gone a bit overboard pruning, or it was really going downhill quickly after the bloom.
How long ago did you repot it?

Thanks for the input.

I repotted about 2 - 2.5 months ago. I never removed any pbulbs. The plant originally had 4 pbulbs and all are still present. The leaves that are no longer present died back and came off by themselves. If they had stayed green I wouldn't have removed them (ie. why remove a healthy part of the plant if I don't have to?).

The only part of the plant I've actually cut myself were the flower spikes, and the dead mushy black roots when I repotted. It didn't have a great root system when that was done, but it did have some roots still in there so it's not totally rootless (thankfully).

[WaterWitchin]

Well, huh StevieWhite. It just looks like less pbulb to me, but could be repositioned. The leaves dried up and fell off, turned yellow and fell off? It sure does appear to be either not enough root to sustain what was there, plus underwatered. What's your plan to carry forward with it? Or have you decided yet?

[Stevie_White]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Well, huh StevieWhite. It just looks like less pbulb to me, but could be repositioned. The leaves dried up and fell off, turned yellow and fell off? It sure does appear to be either not enough root to sustain what was there, plus underwatered. What's your plan to carry forward with it? Or have you decided yet?

The plant is at a different angle from the first pictures, for sure. As for the leaves, they turned yellow and eventually detached themselves.

I've been keeping an eye on the media over the past couple days and it's staying wet, so the roots that are there are getting water. I think I'll just keep an eye on it and see if it starts to produce a new growth.

I did see a little something at the base of one bulb (see picture). I'm not sure if it's the beginnings of a new growth or not, but it might be worth it to see if it keeps growing.

[WaterWitchin]

Well that's a good going forward plan Stevie. Just keep a close eye on the water uptake. As far as the possible new growth.... never hurts to watch and see! Regardless, it's an orchid so patience will be key.

[Stevie_White]

I appreciate all the feedback. I'll plan on taking pictures every couple weeks (maybe once a month) to keep an eye on progress. If it comes back and does well I'll do a post somewhere.

[PaphMadMan]

Definitely not a Zygo. Looks right for the Rhynchostele x Miltonia background of Pacific Paranoia.

[aliceinwl]

My experience with box store oncidium intergeneric types is that the roots are typically on the way out by the time I get them. Sometimes if I get one that hasn’t been at the store long and immediately repot it, it isn’t set back too badly. Most of the time they have an adjustment period (even if there is no root pruning). It usually takes at least a year before they start looking good again.