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02-14-2008, 05:46 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Zone: 10b
Location: Southern California
Posts: 21
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Oncidium with shrivelled pseudo bulbs
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!
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02-14-2008, 05:57 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Zone: 7b
Posts: 3,623
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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
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02-14-2008, 06:01 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
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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.
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02-14-2008, 06:02 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Zone: 7a
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 7,362
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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
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02-26-2008, 11:15 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 9a
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 17,222
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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.
Last edited by cb977; 02-26-2008 at 11:18 AM..
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02-27-2008, 12:20 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Zone: 8a
Location: Va beach VA.
Age: 45
Posts: 198
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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!!!
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05-20-2008, 11:26 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Zone: 10b
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 158
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Hey Del Mar, I am Solana Beach!! Nice to know another Orchid Board member is so close by.
See ya on the web
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05-26-2008, 04:41 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Zone: 5a
Location: Homer, Alaska
Posts: 5
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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.
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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.
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