How is my Onc doing, I need advice/opinions on how I'm doing with it. - Orchid Board

RosieC · #1 06-13-2010, 02:02 PM

Ok, this was my first Onc (Onc Sweet Sugar) and I really have no idea if it's doing OK or not, so I would love someone to look at the pics and tell me how I'm doing.

The good and bad that I have noticed...

1. The p-bulbs have wrinkled a LOT since I got it. They were wrinkled originally but are significantly more wrinkled now. Is this normal or is it a sign I'm not watering enough.

2. The leaves have big white patches. I'm fairly certain this is sun-burn and I've since given it more shade. Do you think I'm right in thinking sun-burn or could it be more serious.

3. There are two new growths on it, neither of which seem to be pleating on the leaves (not sure if that means it IS getting enough water after all or not). These seem to be growing as far as I can tell, they have definately grown significantly since March when I has the previous set of pics of this plant.

4. There are a lot of roots on the surface of the medium from when I repotted in March. The roots then seemed OK but nothing special.

5. I can see the start of roots forming on both of the new growths.

So what do you think,

WhiteRabbit · #2 06-13-2010, 03:48 PM

The wrinkling of the pbulbs is more than you would see from typical aging. But your new growths look good, so I'm not sure what the cause is. Perhaps the plant was underwatered prior to your acquiring it, or since you said the roots were ok, but not great, maybe the root system wasn't able to take up enough water ? I'm not really sure. Watch how the new growth is doing. I don't know if it's a possibility - but perhaps your watering didn't keep up with the warmer weather, and with the plant starting new growth maybe reserves were taken from the mature pbulbs ? If you are allowing this to dry between watering, I would try to water a bit more. Watch the new growth to see how it goes - it is my experience the older pbulbs will not plump up.
The foliage does look burned to me as well (Unfortunately I have LOTS of experience with burned foliage *sigh*)- I'm sure others will chime in if they think its more serious.

RosieC · #3 06-13-2010, 03:59 PM

Thanks Sonya.

I am still very usure about watering p-bulb based orchids and this was one of my first (only had a miltioniopsis before this and that DOES have wrinkling on the new growths) and my watering is probably erratic as I first worry about overwatering, then underwatering then overwatering again and so on. I have a lot more p-bulb based orchids now and really need to get this sussed (I'm best at orchids that need to dry).

Anyway, I'm glad you agree about the sun-burn. It's been that way for a while now and I know it appeared when I had not yet realised how much direct sun my new greenhouse gets. It's in a narrow-ish gap between our house and the neighbours and I thought it would be quite shaded, but actually gets direct sun until arround 2pm.

WhiteRabbit · #4 06-13-2010, 04:10 PM

The good news is orchids with pbulbs can stand a bit of sussing out the watering, as they do have reserves! I was just thinking too - if you had repotted this and used bark, the new media wouldn't retain moisture as well as the old, so maybe that could be the reason for the wrinkling ? Combine that with possibly warmer temps ? And if it were moved out doors, perhaps it was drying even faster due to breezy weather ?
For the most part I have found Oncidiums to be extremely resilient - I'm sure yours will go on to be a massive specimen in no time!

Zoi2 · #5 06-13-2010, 04:11 PM

I have one blooming now, it is about 20 inches from an east window and I keep it moist throughout the year with good air circulation.
My pbulbs looked a bit like yours last year. After experimenting I decided it didn't like my tap water so now it gets rain water. The plant seems happy now anyway.
Joann

camille1585 · #6 06-13-2010, 04:11 PM

Iwon't give you any advice on the plant itself, because oncs and I don't get along very well! But I agree with you and Sonya, the lightened bits look like the beginnings of sunburn, nothing more serious.

nenella · #7 06-13-2010, 04:19 PM

I whole heartedly agree with Sonya above. I would just watch the new growths roots and leaves. If you keep on getting your new roots look like that (long and firm)and no pleating on leaves you're winning!. In my experience Oncs like alot of water BUT the roots need to dry out quickly or they rot.(like Cattleya)
Have you thought about a repot and getting all those lovely roots into a medium? As Sonya said the old wrinkled p/bulbs arn't going to change. Keep us posted on what you decide.

PS: In my environment Oncs grow really well in s/h. But if you do decide to do this all the older roots need to stay at the top end of the pot and get those brand new ones to grow into the leca by themselves. I first 'helped' mine along' by putting a bit of Spagh between them and the Leca.

RosieC · #8 06-13-2010, 04:26 PM

Thanks everyone.

I'm kind of encoraged that you've not said that it looks like it's about dead... I've really not know what to think about this one.

I actually think it's liking my greenhouse at the momment. That won't be suitable over the winter as I plan to keep the greenhouse quite cool, but now I have shade I think I will keep it in there until the temps get too cold. Maybe it's the 'happy spot' for this one as that's where the new growths have started and developed.

Pilot · #9 06-14-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nenella

I whole heartedly agree with Sonya above. I would just watch the new growths roots and leaves. If you keep on getting your new roots look like that (long and firm)and no pleating on leaves you're winning!. In my experience Oncs like alot of water BUT the roots need to dry out quickly or they rot.(like Cattleya)
Have you thought about a repot and getting all those lovely roots into a medium? As Sonya said the old wrinkled p/bulbs arn't going to change. Keep us posted on what you decide.

PS: In my environment Oncs grow really well in s/h. But if you do decide to do this all the older roots need to stay at the top end of the pot and get those brand new ones to grow into the leca by themselves. I first 'helped' mine along' by putting a bit of Spagh between them and the Leca.

Thats great to hear about the s/h. I have a Brassia that I'd like very much to put into s/h as all my other chids are in s/h and have done really well. Are Onc roots tough to bend like phal roots?

WhiteRabbit · #10 06-14-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

Are Onc roots tough to bend like phal roots?

Not in my experience - Oncidiums have much finer roots - some extremely fine - some a bit thicker, but all much thinner then Phal roots. So while easier to manage as far as getting them into a pot - can be challenging to deal with plants with masses of long thin roots lol