NoID Oncidium in need! How do I care for it? - Orchid Board

SillyCookies · #1 12-19-2018, 06:49 AM

Hello everyone,

I bought this Oncidium from a flower shop, but it turns out that the roots were in a terrible state and it is now pretty much rootless. I want to know how I can optimise it's chances of recovery, but I'm realising how varied the Oncidium alliance can be and am not entirely sure what the best thing to do is. I hope someone can help me, I really like the flowers on this one

So I realise that an exact ID is too much to ask for (I have googled extensively and found far too many similar but different looking orchids), but I'm hoping that I can at least get a confirmation on the type of orchid and the care it requires. Currently I'm thinking it's an Wilsonara/Oncostele, or an Odontocidium.

MrHappyRotter · #2 12-19-2018, 11:39 AM

It's an Oncidium alliance intergeneric hybrid, likely one that was formerly called Wilsonara. Oncidium alliance taxonomy over time has undergone quite a bit of shuffling and revision to the point where it's impossible for me to keep up with and has made the horticultural side of things regrettably messy. As you noted, it would be tough to provide an accurate and specific ID. Even IDing the genus (other than saying it's intergeneric and likely has Cochlioda and Oncdium) can be difficult.

The good news is, intergeneric hybrid care is virtually the same regardless of the genus, with few exceptions. Don't let the myriad of conflicting (and often outright misleading or false) information out there scare you. People like to over think things, and quite frankly these plants aren't nearly as demanding as some would have you think. If you want to fuss over exact temperatures, specific humidity levels, and exacting lumens, go right ahead, but there's really no need.

For the most part, it doesn't matter whether you've got an Aliceara, Brassidium, Wilsonara, Colmanara, etc. They want the same things. Bright light. Lots of moisture when growing. Intermediate temperatures. Good air movement.

There's some variation in heat tolerance/preference among hybrids, but as long as you are growing indoors this likely won't be an issue. There's also some slight differences in preferred potting mix depending on whether the plant has thick roots or very fine, thin roots. Your plant probably has thin roots and shouldn't be grown for long periods of time in temperatures above 30C/85F.

If the plant is rootless, then you want to grow it in elevated humidity and bright, but shaded conditions. If you want to add some root stimulants like seaweed extract, go ahead, but it might not do much if there are no new growths. Once the plant produces new growths, you should start to see new roots forming. That's when you'd want to ramp up the watering.

SillyCookies · #3 12-19-2018, 01:56 PM

Thank you so much for your reply! You really helped put me more at ease, at the very least

There is a new growth, but so far no new roots. When do you think that I can expect any? It doesn't really seem to be growing anything. I will attach a picture of the new growth and the rhyzome, so that you can see the state of the plant. What do you think its chances are?

aliceinwl · #4 12-20-2018, 12:43 AM

I think its chances are very good. I have a lot of these Oncidium alliance types and many have been rootless wonders when I repotted. I pot mine up in a fine bark mix. If they're rootless, I secure them to stakes in the pot so that they don't move around.

I'm not sure if this has worked for others, but I do a daily morning heavy misting of the root zone / base of the plant. This seems to stimulate root growth and lets some moisture wick in through any viable remnant root tissue. Once they send down roots, I discontinue the misting.

A lot of these are hardy down to around 35 degrees Fahrenheit so I grow mine outside in bright shade. Any exposure to direct sun has resulted in burns.

I've learned to be a bit more conservative when removing dead roots. Even if the roots are dead, I now try to leave enough on to help anchor the plant and hopefully provide some moisture through wicking.

Depending on how happy your plant is with the temperatures and new media, I've had them well on the way to complete recovery within a couple of months. If they're not happy, they can sit and sulk in this state for at least a year. So, if you don't see indications of recovery within a few months it's worth playing with your set-up.

SillyCookies · #5 12-20-2018, 03:06 AM

Thank you for the help

I'll give a picture of my current set-up, which is basically my plant on a little mount of LECA with a perforated bag over its head to increase humidity but allow a bit of airflow. I think the biggest danger to this plant right now might just be me, since I keep having the urge to check on it and baby it. Good thing that I'll be gone for 3 weeks for christmas

I'll just need to hope it doesn't experience complications while I'm gone.

SillyCookies · #6 02-07-2019, 04:19 AM

It has been in its little ICU for about 2 months now, and it's looking increasingly worse.... I feel like the new growth has not done anything at all during this time. There certainly isn't any root growth. It has lost a number of leaves, and one of the pseudobulbs is now browning

Any further advice? I feel like i'm going to lose it at this point

aliceinwl · #7 02-07-2019, 12:27 PM

Maybe try a kelp based rooting stimulant? You could also try switching up the substrate. Maybe go with loose spagnum or a fine grade bark mix, pot it, and stake the plant so that it’s stable.

My Oncidium intergenerics don’t usually root for me if they don’t like the substrate. They also don’t root well if there’s any wobble so I’ll often use multiple stakes so that they’re really stable when they don’t have roots.

I’d keep the bag in place and keep the substrate moist but not wet. Also, avoid the temptation to disturb the plant to check for roots. You can use the pseudobulbs as indicators, if the green ones start plumping back up, it’s rooting.

SillyCookies · #8 02-07-2019, 12:32 PM

I was under the impression that any sort of root stimulants would be ineffective because the plant needs roots to actually absorb the stimulant. I have some sphagnum moss now, so I can try using that. I don't check on it that often at all actually, but I'll keep the stability issue in mind. At this point, do you think that I should even bother anymore? Can this plant still be saved?

aliceinwl · #9 02-07-2019, 12:52 PM

I’ve never tried the ICU approach with mine. I get them into pots and substrate, make sure they’re stable, and monitor moisture levels and maybe give them a some heavy regular misting to the root zone. This has worked for me even if they have zero roots at the start.

I still think there’s a good chance of recovery. I’ve had plants in worse shape pull through.

---------- Post added at 08:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 AM ----------

Maybe set it us so that you can water by soaking. It’s still going to take up limited moisture from the tissue in the root zone. I wouldn’t advocate fertilizer but the kelp based root stimulants will still be able to work. Make sure you don’t overdo the dosage.

I haven’t used the rooting stimulants on mine but from reading about other people’s experiences it does seem to accelerate the recovery process.

SillyCookies · #10 02-07-2019, 01:06 PM

The humidity in my growing space is max 40% (that is with a humidifier going at all time!) so I don't think that normal potting up would work with my environment. I'll look into rooting stimulants and see if I can get my hands on some - could always be useful in the future in any case.

Anyway, for now I'll try and keep the plant in a covered vase with sphagnum (see image).