My First Orchid, NOID, was told it was an Odontonia

[Paleogirl2003]

Hi Everyone,

If anyone has any more specifics about this orchid I would greatly appreciate it! It is my first one and I really do not want to kill it. Someone told me it was an Odontonia.

Thanks,
~Kelly

[D&S Mabel]

You're going to have a tough time finding out exactly what it is but I have a plant that looks like that. It's called Bllra. Tahoma Glacier 'Ithan' and looks like this -



The flowers are a little faded in this pic as it had been in the weather for a number of days. Mine blooms in July/August. Good luck with the ID and happy growing - Oh, and welcome to the board.

[Orchidophile]

I can't really give you any advice on that plant other than Mabel's is really close or even the same, but is in that family of orchids. And welcome to the board Kelly!

[Paleogirl2003]

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

You're going to have a tough time finding out exactly what it is but I have a plant that looks like that. It's called Bllra. Tahoma Glacier 'Ithan' and looks like this -

The flowers are a little faded in this pic as it had been in the weather for a number of days. Mine blooms in July/August. Good luck with the ID and happy growing - Oh, and welcome to the board.

Wow, thanks Mabel, that looks almost exactly like it. Any tips on care? Would it do well in S/H? I was thinking about trying that as I think I need to remove it from the pot it came in as i think the medium is killing it - some parts are dying and the roots are white and dry and growing up out of the top. Any tips would be great as I do not even know where to start.

I just found this one on the following page when I googled Bllra. Tahoma Glacier 'Ithan' as Mabel suggested: Orchid Photo Galleries - Oncidiums, Tolumnias (Equitant Oncidiums), Odontoglossum, and their Hybrids.



It is labeled as Bllra. Marfitch 'Select'.

So at least I know it is in teh Beallara family then. I suppose there is no real way to know exactly what it is since there are thousands of species.

Thanks for your help and warm welcome,
~Kelly

[D&S Mabel]

I pretty much treat mine like an oncidium but not quite as much direct sun.

If you go to the Semi-Hydroponic Cultures forum on this board, there is a posting at the very top "Sticky: The S/H List" where ScottMcC lists Beallara and other oncidium types as plants he's had success with in S/H.

I haven't tried S/H yet but am about to (not with this plant though, it's doing just fine as it is).

I have about a dozen oncidium type plants and I find the biggest problem with these is that the stores typically pack them with too much sphagnum moss, causing them to be too wet and have very little air movement in the roots. The roots die off and the plants decline. Best move is to repot them.

Good Luck - and I must say, you have very good taste in plants

[Paleogirl2003]

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

I pretty much treat mine like an oncidium but not quite as much direct sun.

If you go to the Semi-Hydroponic Cultures forum on this board, there is a posting at the very top "Sticky: The S/H List" where ScottMcC lists Beallara and other oncidium types as plants he's had success with in S/H.

I haven't tried S/H yet but am about to (not with this plant though, it's doing just fine as it is).

I have about a dozen oncidium type plants and I find the biggest problem with these is that the stores typically pack them with too much sphagnum moss, causing them to be too wet and have very little air movement in the roots. The roots die off and the plants decline. Best move is to repot them.

Good Luck - and I must say, you have very good taste in plants

Thank you so much Mabel, yes, there is quite a bit of moss on the top! Also, I just noticed a gnat type bug nearby - should I worry or is that normal? There are also spots on the leaves, which I do not know if it is bug related.

Here are some photos, though it was hard to get a good one on this dreary day.







Thanks again!!!
~Kelly

[D&S Mabel]

I don't know how to link to another post on this board so - go to the forum "Pests & Diseases" and scan down for the post " I finally caught them on film, now help!!" and see if that is you "gnat". If it is, they are somewhat common and harmless. I find them more when my potting mix is too wet and the plant is a little unhappy.

I wouldn't sweat the spots on the leaves. Probably from them getting wet and the water sitting on the leaves over night under the right conditions. Most of mine have those from being outside. If you are spritzing with a spray bottle, that can do it. I don't think this type of orchid needs that but am not sure as I don't grow indoors.

I'd pot the plant in a clay or plastic orchid pot (or try S/H). You can go larger on the pot size but not too much as they seem to like being somewhat crowded.

[Paleogirl2003]

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

I don't know how to link to another post on this board so - go to the forum "Pests & Diseases" and scan down for the post " I finally caught them on film, now help!!" and see if that is you "gnat". If it is, they are somewhat common and harmless. I find them more when my potting mix is too wet and the plant is a little unhappy.

I wouldn't sweat the spots on the leaves. Probably from them getting wet and the water sitting on the leaves over night under the right conditions. Most of mine have those from being outside. If you are spritzing with a spray bottle, that can do it. I don't think this type of orchid needs that but am not sure as I don't grow indoors.

I'd pot the plant in a clay or plastic orchid pot (or try S/H). You can go larger on the pot size but not too much as they seem to like being somewhat crowded.

Thanks again for all of your help D&S Mabel! I will look at the information you recommended.

Have a great day!
Kelly

[Paleogirl2003]

Update:

I just repotted my orchid in S/H thanks to First Rays orchids. When I removed the pot, I found a small label that read: Patricia McCully "Pacific Matriarch"

So now my orchid is no longer a NOID, yay

Thanks again to everyone for their help!

When I googled the specific name, I found these photos confirming the id:

Beallara Patricia McCully 'Pacific Matriarch' photo - Orchid Photos photos at pbase.com
http://www.theorchidworks.com/varieties/img/P336.jpg