Bllra. Big Shot 'Hilo Sparkle' surprise spike

[SJF]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Ease up on the watering if the media is breaking down. The flowers will last anyway with less watering. The important thing here is to keep the roots in good condition so when it is repotted it will respond well. The other important thing here is that the new growth is the future of the plant. You mention specimen size. That can be obtained as long as all conditions the plant needs are met. All the oncidium types have thin numerous root masses that are quickly damaged by wet conditions. The longer the wet conditions around the roots remains the more damage is inflicted. To keep the root mass healthy for the time it takes to grow this to specimen size the media has to be a type that breaks down slowly and dries quickly. If a bark is used it must be of a very hard variety like Orchiata. New Zealand fir bark is very hard and lasts for 3 or 4 years depending on conditions. Lava cinder, LECA, or other inorganic media are very useful in keeping the plant potted without disturbance. Oncidium type orchids do not like the root mass disturbed at all. The correct time to repot is when the new growth has grown roots at least 1 inch long. This gives the new roots time to grow into the media before fall's cooler temps. So get a good media for it, a pot that just holds the root mass with an inch or so to spare, and when the flowering ceases and new growth appears, get ready to pot and not before. Here is what the new growth and roots should look like when you go to repot.

Thank you for your advice, James. I truly appreciate it. You are so knowledgeable. I don't water a lot, but this was a supermarket purchase in the Winter. The media wasn't great then. Would you grow this in SH?
Thanks,
SJF

[SJF]

These are some more pictures of the whole plant. I virus tested it after I purchased it. It was a great deal at $15. I was a bit of a neglectful water after I had surgery. The pleated leaves show my neglect

[james mickelso]

I'm not familiar enough with S/H so won't recommend. If I had it I would just repot it into bark with some sponge rock and charcoal. This is a standard mix for most orchids. Very forgiving. It could go into sphagnum moss but these don't like to be kept wet. Damp is ok but not wet. They like to be watered and then quickly dried. Not dry as a bone but just damp. The roots rot easily. Here is a pic of the size mix I use. It could be LECA if you like. Size of the material is what matters. This open media size allows for watering well but a quick drying too. That new growth I see in pic #2 is starting to grow roots. Now is the time to repot. I know it has flowers and could be repotted without losing them but you'ld have to be experienced to do it. Enjoy the flowers for awhile but I'd sacrifice them at some point to get the plant repotted which will allow this new growth to flower well next season.

[SJF]

The spike is done blooming. There is a new spike and two new growths starting. This one must bloom on every new growth.