Identification help!

[KPinNC]

Hi All,

My mother-in-law was given four different Orchids sent from Hawaii. Three have tags, and I'm doing my homework, but the 4th doesn't.

Can you help identify? I could also use some care guidelines. She gets NO sunlight in her condo, and the blooms fell off quickly. I have placed in in a southern window with direct (fall-time) sun. A new leaf sprout started fairly quickly, but the other leaves are a bit yellow with edges of brown (she may have under-watered).

Thanks for your help!

[tucker85]

It's difficult to tell if those pseudobulbs are flat or round but looks like they're flat in which case your orchid would possibly be some kind of oncidium cross. Although the leaves look thicker than most oncidiums. Sorry I can't be more help.

[silken]

It looks to me like an oncidium and the new little growth looks like an oncidium type growth as well. It looks to be in fairly good potting media of chunky bark and perlite or styrofoam. There is such a large group of Oncidium hybrids that its hard to give specific care instructions at least until there is a bloom to look at. But usually these don't like to get completely dry but close to it before watering. Some require high light but many just medium light.

[KPinNC]

Originally Posted by silken

It looks to me like an oncidium and the new little growth looks like an oncidium type growth as well. It looks to be in fairly good potting media of chunky bark and perlite or styrofoam. There is such a large group of Oncidium hybrids that its hard to give specific care instructions at least until there is a bloom to look at. But usually these don't like to get completely dry but close to it before watering. Some require high light but many just medium light.

Hi Silkin. Thank you for your help. It also came with a Sakura Pink Dend, a C.M. Fitch Miltassia, and a Sharry Baby Onc. Right now, they are getting a lot of direct, but not hot, sunlight. I have a 2nd location that allows for almost no direct sunlight (in fall). Should I be concerned that any of these are getting too much light? KP.

[silken]

The Miltassia Charles. M. Fitch takes medium to low light and warm to cool temps. The Sharry baby takes medium to high light with warm to cool temps, but leaning more to warm. I didn't find a Den. Sakura Pink in OrchidWiz, but I found one with just Sakura for the name. If Sakura Pink is the true name then it won't be the same hybrid. Sakura called for fairly bright light and cool to warm temps with cooler and drier conditions for winter. Lots of Dens require that but not all so I can't say for sure. This info all came from OrchidWiz so others may have direct growing experience with these. I have a number of Oncidiums and Dens but not these ones.

If a leaf feels quite warm to the touch it is likely too much sun. Most orchids do best at the maximum amount of light they can take short of burning the leaves. So it is a matter of slowly acclimating them to more light. Often leaves get a bit of a reddish tinge at the edges which means they are at a maximum amount of light, but not all do this. Generally if leaves are light green, they are getting lots of sun and if dark green, not enough. Again, this isn't always the case as some genera and species just have lighter or darker leaves so it is just a guideline.