New purchase: Very shriveled Oncidium

[Sandra75]

Hi everyone! I haven't been here in a long time. I need help with a new Oncidium I got 2 days ago.

My Oncidum is extremely shriveled, however is planted in Sphagnum Moss that is a little humid still. When I did purchase, I thought it didnt matter as plant would give more babies. But now I dont find normal that the base is that badly shriveled.

I read to not give water the first week or so but should I water, should I make ventilation hole in the soft plastic pot it came in?

Any suggestions is appreciated!!

[Ray]

"Shriveled pseudobulbs" says the plant has not been absorbing sufficient water to compensate for its losses through transpiration. That can be due to underwatering, a poor root system, or both.

Unpot the plant and inspect the roots. That's the only way you'll know for sure what corrective action to take.

[Sandra75]

Thank you. I see some white-ish and tan roots. Hopefully my Oncidium is ok. What water you use? I watered mine with filtered water. But online says to not use that water that its better distilled water or rain water. Any thoughts?

[Ray]

Scanning through the Ottawa water quality reports online, it looks like you probably have quite alkaline water - about 125 ppm CaCO3.

I don't know what kind of filter you have, but it very likely does nothing to correct that (most don't), so I'd consider a purer water source. Distilled isn't totally necessary, but is far better than your tap water.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Sandra75

I need help with a new Oncidium I got 2 days ago.

What did the bulbs look like 2 days ago (when it arrived)? Did they look 'normal' 2 days ago?

[Sandra75]

Originally Posted by Ray

Scanning through the Ottawa water quality reports online, it looks like you probably have quite alkaline water - about 125 ppm CaCO3.

I don't know what kind of filter you have, but it very likely does nothing to correct that (most don't), so I'd consider a purer water source. Distilled isn't totally necessary, but is far better than your tap water.

Oh wow, I didnt know. Ill get distilled water. I have Brita filter BTW. Thank you!
With my plant being this badly shriveled, after watering, how long about Id see a difference? I watered 2 days ago and it still looks same to me.

---------- Post added at 12:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

What did the bulbs look like 2 days ago (when it arrived)? Did they look 'normal' 2 days ago?

I bought as is last Sunday. All the Oncidiums were this badly shriveled at the plant store. I watered yesterday AM and I dont see any difference.

[fishmom]

Sandra, you probably won't see much (or any) difference in the shriveled bulbs going forward, but any new growth should be firm and plump. Assuming it still has decent roots, good care will gradually spur new growth. With orchids, nothing happens quickly.

[claypot]

First basic question is do you have a problem - that is, are the psbs actually shrivelled? The shape might be their natural form. I grow several hundred Oncidiinae and many have ridged psbs because that is how they grow. Not all Oncidiinae have plump spherical psbs.

[fishmom]

Claypot is absolutely correct, although those pseudobulbs do look shriveled to me. You said you could see roots--did you unpot the plant and are there roots on both those old bulbs? If not, you will have to wait until new roots sprout from new growth, as the old bulbs cannot take up moisture without roots. But the old bulbs will provide nutrients and strength to push out the new growth.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Sandra75

I bought as is last Sunday. All the Oncidiums were this badly shriveled at the plant store. I watered yesterday AM and I don't see any difference.

I see. This sounds at least promising for the orchid. At this point ------ since you have inspected the roots, and if the roots look ok ...... and probably should take a digi-pic of the roots -- just in case, it appears that this orchid will probably make it.

Whoever was supposed to be looking after that plant at the store didn't give it enough water. I'm sure that if you allow the growing media (your spaghnum moss) to be moist (not drenched), and provide enough air circulation around leaves and media, and provide adequate light and comfortable temperatures, then the plant should be able to grow comfortably.