Help with impulse oncidium purchase.

[Brownthumb10]

I got a NoID oncidium on pure impulse without any research. It is in a wooden basket outside...I am in Florida. Any pointers to keep it happy. Thanks!

Pictures in 7 & 8

[silken]

What is it potted in? How much light is it getting in its outdoor location? A picture would be good.

[Optimist]

The first important lesson I learned about oncidiums was that root size and the thickness of the leaf told you about watering style and how much light. Thin fine roots need more watering, but also easily rot. Thick roots need less water. During the growing season, oncidiums like as much water as they can get without rotting the roots. Thick cattleya type leaves indicate higher light needs. Thin corn stalk like leaves want less light. In any case the light will be more than phals at about 1500 to 2000 FC. So looking at tth leaves and roots, what does the plant tell you? Also, is it growing now? Do you see live root tips and new eyes or leaves forming? Now, as far as Florida. Oncidiums are mostly from South America. They run the range from sea level to high cloud forest. They are mainly intermediate if they are hybrids. You may need to experiment if you are not sure if it is a brassia or a miltonia. Some do really well in hot humid conditions, others need cooler conditions. If I did not know for sure, I would want a nice breeze to hit them to cool them down on really hot days. The ones I have need a cooling period in fall, and bloom in the winter. I keep them outside because there is more tempreture vartiation day/night, and I think all orchids like at least a 10 degree drop in night time temps.

[Brownthumb10]

It is hanging from a tree in my east facing front yard. It gets filtered light. The main plant is in moss surrounded by coco fiber in a wooden basket. The leaves are more corn stalk....def not catt like. I need to look at the roots. It currently has two bloom spikes loaded with buds.

[Optimist]

Yeah. Do not move the plant around much when in bud. My corn stalk leaf like oncidium inetergenerics are outside, in filtered tree shade. They like it and grow well out there. I would just say water every day, because in the basket you have 100% drainage. If it rains let the rain water them. Any orchid likes rain way better than tap water. Upload a picture when the flowers open. We can give you a better name or type, though maybe not the cultivar name.

[NYCorchidman]

Pictures??

[Brownthumb10]

Buds are starting to open

[Brownthumb10]

Another picture. I can't seem to get more than one picture in the same post

[NYCorchidman]

Ok, you have wildcat and it is an easy plant to grow and bloom.

Good info has already been given.
I would add that watering daily might need some caution as yours is in moss you said.

Moss may not dry out on a daily basis.
So make sure you water when the moss dries somewhat, but not bone dry. Bone dry for a day or two won't hurt, though.

East exposure with some shade sounds about perfect.

Enjoy your orchids in bloom!

Oh, one more, since you grow outside, when these orchids make buds, aphids tend to like them a lot, so check the buds often for the presence of aphids and just water them off if/when you see any.