Greetings from Portugal!! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

trdyl · #11 07-16-2010, 07:55 PM

Welcome to OB!

Bascari · #12 07-16-2010, 08:44 PM

i remembered that i can easily get some exo-terra products in stores around here, exo-terra forest bark or exo-terra coco husk can be good substitutes? I can also get that type of pine bark that is usually used to cover gardens to prevent weeds but it comes in big pieces, could i break those and repot the plant in it?

Call_Me_Bob · #13 07-16-2010, 10:15 PM

the peices should be about 3/4 of an inch if you mix about 2/3 forest or pine bark, and 1/3 coco husk, that should be fine

susiep · #14 07-17-2010, 01:14 AM

Basari, the product you refer to as "exoterra cocohusk" would probably be good for an oncidium. It would be better mixed with a little bark, but not the kind used for landscaping! Oncidiums have smaller roots than some orchids and prefer to be in a small, tight pot. So go with a pot just slightly larger than you have now and you should be fine. I have noticed that they have to be well established in their container to bloom. So it may take a year or two to bloom.

CTB · #15 07-17-2010, 03:40 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board, hope you'll make lots of posts. I know you'll find lots of help. Enjoy!

Bascari · #16 07-17-2010, 01:30 PM

thanks everyone for your help!!
Just one more questions, which type of vase should i chose?

Call_Me_Bob · #17 07-17-2010, 01:36 PM

a pot with good drainage. a clear plastic pot made for orchids would be ideal, but i dont know if they would be availble to you

nenella · #18 07-17-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiep

Basari, the product you refer to as "exoterra cocohusk" would probably be good for an oncidium. It would be better mixed with a little bark, but not the kind used for landscaping! Oncidiums have smaller roots than some orchids and prefer to be in a small, tight pot. So go with a pot just slightly larger than you have now and you should be fine. I have noticed that they have to be well established in their container to bloom. So it may take a year or two to bloom.

I agree! with above; the bark you find at garden centres for landscaping is ok as long as you chop it up into smaller pieces.Let us know how you get on

susiep · #19 07-17-2010, 07:18 PM

Actually the landscaping bark (mulch) that we use here in the US can be chemically treated (for color, to kill weeds, etc) so it is not good in any way for orchids. I know that such unhealthy things are not used in most Western European countries. So it may be good for orchids there, but I can't say for sure. To be on the safe side, just order or buy products marketed specifically for orchids.

TropiCool · #20 08-08-2010, 07:07 PM

Hi Bruno, Boa Dia!

I just signed up here tonight, and I see it has been a couple of weeks since you asked your question. Have you tried to repot the oncidium already?

I am thinking that something you have easy to find in PT is natural cork bark. Many orchids, including oncidiums really love this as a growing medium, so you are in a lucky place for orchids

.

I agree that the plant looks like it has not had the most informed care before you got it. One clue from the pics is that someone has cut off all the roots which were exposed outside the pot. You can see the chopped ends. When it grows more, leave them to hang out in the air, it's what they need to do. And when you do repot, don't try and bury any which are "air roots" they will only suffer if you do.

What part of PT do you live in? Depending on the weather (especially how cold the winter), you might even be able to grow this outdoors, at least for much of the year. If you want to give me some more details, I could make more specific suggestions.

Best of luck!

Erik (in Ireland)