R513 Oncidium Heaven Scent 'Redolence' - advice needed

[NYCorchidman]

It definitely needs a bigger pot because that was the major need for this plant. It has no space for the new shoot to grow.

Plus, with the way this hybrid and many oncidiums grow, I would use a pot that is much much bigger.
I do not like to repot often. It just is not necessary. bugging the plants is also not good.
Unless you want to repot again in the next 6 months, 5 inch pot is too small. I would use something much bigger. at least 6 inch pot. I use much bigger pot and then stop worrying about repotting for one or two years depending on how big oncidiums get.

Once oncidiums hit a certain size, they will start to send up multiple growths, each of which will start at least one (usually more) of their own.
You can imagine how big the whole thing will get in no time!

Old pb generally do not flower again, but they can.
Oncidiums and related hybrids are roughly divided into two groups. One spiker or double spiker.
This is sometimes not clear as one spiker may produce two spikes at times and double spikers may make three spikes.
Double spikes (or more) usually develop at the same time, but it can be quite some time in between.

So, for the old pbs that already produced two spikes, the chance of that pb to rebloom is nearly zero.
For the old pbs that flowered with one spike, there is a small chance that it will rebloom, but generally no.

One thing is that, like anything else, you want to grow the plant as big as possible by giving plenty of water and good light plus fertilizing while they are in active growth phase. The larger the mature pbs and leaves, the better the flowering will be.

Too little light and/or too little water, there might be no spikes at all, or flowering will be poor.

[Optimist]

I agree with NYCorchidman in regards to not repotting often. Every time you repot you disturb the plant. In the case of orchids, they tend to sulk, backslide, and not do their best after repotting. That is why a medium that does not break down quickly is crucial. Also why good drainage is important. A bigger pot will tone down the "walking" habit of sympodials. If you dont hav anywhere for them to go, they march right out of your pot. You have to give it plenty of room. Many orchids can get huge.

[lotis146]

So when I repotted my Heaven Scent it was in double spike, one actually in bud, but was already in trouble, no evidence of any new growths for one and these being spikes 4 & 5. Its roots were crap, more than 50% rotted, which I've said before. Given this I repotted it in a significantly smaller pot, more so smaller as in shorter, because I've come to understand that Orchids shouldn't be potted according to their plant size (even though as I say this I'm thinking about some mini Catts & even a Phal I've probably over-potted...hmm...). I feel sort of hypocritical saying "yes pot bigger" (I didn't repot that small, but not much bigger than my plant). When repotting an Oncid that turns out to have a suffering root system is it best to pot bigger than the plant to make room for the future or should you start a little smaller until there's a sign of new growth??

Mine hasn't sulked at all since the repot, spike still bloomed (sorry for repeat info), and the other spike got much longer, but maybe that's because it was already in a little trouble?? I'm always checking for new growths but so far haven't found any.

...Perhaps there's some little guys under the sheaths (bracts) at the base of the leaves, like I found digging around on some other plants today...is that bad to do, to peel that back a bit...?

---------- Post added at 01:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

Well I wanted to check what I said so I ran outside snatched my Heaven Scent up after realizing I hadn't done a thorough check like I did with everyone else. Lo and behold I found a tiny new growth (albeit in a sorta, kinda tight spot) and my pot isn't that small but my plant is kind of awkward and contorted. But my question about repotting priorities still stands: smaller size for small roots like you would with say Phals, or do you still go bigger for bulbs?

Thanks!

[kimstwin]

I pot by the root size and condition of the roots. Usually, a plant I've had for a while and has been sending new growths up steadily will by nature need a bigger pot.

Ultimately, I think it's hard for a person to tell another grower with certainty precisely what pot they should put a particular plant in. It seems a personal decision influenced by the condition of the plant, the pots available, and the medium that the grower is using.

When I can see a new growth, I usually leave the sheaths at the base alone because I don't want to pull on the new growth. As the bulb matures, I'm guilty of pulling the yellowing sheaths away.

[NYCorchidman]

For sympodial orchids, it's not really by the root size that one should consider pot size. You want to give enough space for the next 2-3 years of growths. Well, given that the mix used is not something that breaks down in one year, which at least I have not had any.

Even for monopodials, picking a pot that barely holds the current root mass is not a good idea as roots do grow more in no time.

I always give enough space for new roots (and new growths for sympodials) to grow and fill.

[lotis146]

Thanks Kim & NYC, what you've both said makes perfect sense. Ever since I heard that Orchids' tend to like it a little tighter in their pots I've still thought that when repotting one should provide some additional space so the plant can grow more roots and they can spread out a little bit. I've repotted some Orchids that were doing the merry-go-round in their pots, doesn't look fun to me!!

[czayta]

Well a few weeks after re-potting it and the plant seems to be doing well.

I think it is sending up a new flower spike? Or is it just a leaf within a leaf? Not exactly sure what new Oncidium flower spikes look like. Either way I'm excited ^^

[kimstwin]

It looks like a spike. My oncidiums are spiking now, too!

[czayta]

Originally Posted by kimstwin

It looks like a spike. My oncidiums are spiking now, too!

So exciting! When I bought this plant it wasn't in spike so I have never seen its flowers before.

[NYCorchidman]

It's a spike.

Yay!!!!