Oncidium with shrivelled pseudo bulbs - Orchid Board

delmarflower · #1 02-14-2008, 05:46 PM

Hi Everyone,
Just joined about an hour ago and want to say how much I'm looking forward to speaking with other orchid lovers. I'm new to growing orchids, but have become quite hooked. Just purchased an oncidium about a week ago. It has purple flowers and is quite crowded in its pot. One of the flowers shrivelled up and I've also noticed some of the pseudo bulbs are slightly shrivelled. Should I risk repotting while it is flowering? Thanks for any help!

kavanaru · #2 02-14-2008, 05:57 PM

Hi Delmar,

First, welcome in OB!

You'll enjoy it...

As per your Oncidium, a bit of shrivelling of the pseudobulbs is not problematic (in most cases) and is to some extent quite normal... same for flowers dying after bringing the plant home from the shop (some plants react stronger than other to environmental changes - or that flowers was just too old

) However, posting a pic of the plant can help a lot to give you more precise advice...

...AND BECAUSE WE ALSO LOVE PICTURES HERE

Ross · #3 02-14-2008, 06:01 PM

Welcome to the best board on the net (in my opinion

)

To answer you question, no it's not suggested to repot while in bloom. Oncidium (and their hybrids) often have shriveled or 'wrinkled' pseudobulbs. It's not necessary for them to be all fleshed out to do well. Now, having said that, you want to be sure to keep them well-watered while in active growth and/or in bloom. Mine are watered every 3rd or 4th day by submerging the pot and pouring water through the pot at same time to flood the roots. In between I let them dry out. Hope this helps.

tuvoc · #4 02-14-2008, 06:02 PM

Hi there and welcome. I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. The blossoms will eventually wither, and fall off. The bulbs will also show a little wrinkling. Especially the older ones. When you get a chance, post a couple of pics, so we can all take a look at your plant. In the mean time, enjoy it, and have a great time here.

Kim

cb977 · #5 02-26-2008, 11:15 AM

Hi! Welcome to Orchidboard

You'll find lots of help here...from folks all around the world

The general "rule" is not to repot while a chid is in bloom...BUT...I guess I'm a bit of a rebel because I repot every plant that makes it to my house as soon as it arrives

I like to see what the roots look like as we have no idea how the plants have been cared for prior to them coming to their new home. I have never lost a plant...or even a bloom, by doing this...but it's a personal choice.

If you need help with anything, let us know.

Orchidaholic · #6 02-27-2008, 12:20 AM

Welcome to the Board and to the addiction!!!
Being a purple Onc alliance plant I would take a guess that you have Miltassa Charles Marden Fitch or Belleara Marfitch(a cross with C.M.Fitch in it). Both are fairly common hybrids and usually have slightly shriveled PSB's. The flowers will last for weeks but the plant does take a minor hit from its environment changing. You gotta figure it was grown in a greenhouse with relatively high humitity , then shipped in a dark box, then to a house with moderate humidity. Nothing to fret over but if you are questioning the health of the plant you can tip the pot on its side and try to gently slide the plant out to take a look at the roots. New roots will be bright white with little green tips, some will be slightly brown. If you were to see lots of brown(almost black) roots then something may need to be addressed. And as always, pictures are always welcome!!!

Phal-gal · #7 05-20-2008, 11:26 PM

Hey Del Mar, I am Solana Beach!! Nice to know another Orchid Board member is so close by.

See ya on the web

Hozer · #8 05-26-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

Hi! Welcome to Orchidboard

You'll find lots of help here...from folks all around the world

The general "rule" is not to repot while a chid is in bloom...BUT...I guess I'm a bit of a rebel because I repot every plant that makes it to my house as soon as it arrives

I like to see what the roots look like as we have no idea how the plants have been cared for prior to them coming to their new home. I have never lost a plant...or even a bloom, by doing this...but it's a personal choice.

If you need help with anything, let us know.

I'm just a newbie here, but I totally agree. The stuff you buy in stores seems to be packed to stay wet in shipping and for retail and not for long term keeping...that is assuming you purchased it from a large store. It's a shame, really. Inexperienced, impulse buyers are doomed to failure without a proper care sheet and poor potting media. Personally, I want to have a look at the roots. I have divided oncidiums in spike and they still bloomed for me.

As far as shrivelled pseudobulbs...speaking from limited experience...that is the norm. How it goes: your healthy oncidium will develop a nice fat green bulb that looks about to burst (exageration), it then can't help but to bloom. Shortly after the bloom you should see new growth spikes. The bloom and new growth feed off that fat pseidobulb. It will get wrinkles as it begins to shrivel and ideally, a few new fat bulbs will develop. I foliar feed my oncidiums...mist them with a dilute fertilizer spray...every now and then...they seem to love it.