no bliss for my Orange Kiss

[charlesf6]

This Oncidium hybrid plant from Hausermanns came in bud and was beautiful upon blooming shortly thereafter.

Moved into the bath in front of the mirror to politely strut it's stuff.



Shortly thereafter the blooms all started to drop at a rapid pace.

Okay well I haven't watered since April 23rd, but I have consistently checked my Oncostele plant for dryness and the bamboo skewer pulls out much too moist for my liking.

After discovering the top moldy appearance of the Catatante upon leaving it in the lavatory for about a month or so I removed it to a drier area in hopes of it aerating and clearing up.









You can see here the moisture retention as I pull up this pole that I use to steady the orchid ever so slightly.

Do I need Physan here too?

[estación seca]

I'm not completely sure what's going on... they do need huge amounts of water when in bloom. I have had to stand Oncidium hybrids that arrive potted in sphagnum in dishes of water to keep them adequately hydrated. That doesn't work when temperatures go up, but it worked well in winter/spring.

[Jeff214]

It might be stressed from a change in lighting / temperature / moisture? If you moved it to your bathroom (dark and humid?) from say your living room, that would be a drastic change in conditions.

All my oncidiums are in bark + sphagnum moss, always with a dish of water underneath it. I find it that they get fussy whenever they aren't soaking wet... I had a Odontoglossom wild cat that I forgot to water while in bloom, but it held together even after the p-bulbs got shriveled up.

It's beautiful though! At first I thought you had 4 spikes - from the reflection on the mirror. Nice presentation, but perhaps not for the flower's health?

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

It might be stressed from a change in lighting / temperature / moisture? If you moved it to your bathroom (dark and humid?) from say your living room, that would be a drastic change in conditions.

Agreed, moved out as soon as I noticed this.

All my oncidiums are in bark + sphagnum moss, always with a dish of water underneath it. I find it that they get fussy whenever they aren't soaking wet... I had a Odontoglossom wild cat that I forgot to water while in bloom, but it held together even after the p-bulbs got shriveled up.

OOPs, stopped watering as it seemed so moist
and the mold really spooked me.

It's beautiful though! At first I thought you had 4 spikes - from the reflection on the mirror. Nice presentation, but perhaps not for the flower's health?

Thanks, that's what spunked my idea of leaving it there.

[Dollythehun]

Water hogs! I'd Repot in bark and moss in clay pot. You can keep it moist and the roots cool. It is beautiful.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I guess I'm the odd man out.

My Oncidiums are in medium bark, and although I don't let them get too dry, I also don't keep them soaking wet or standing in water. I water about 4 times a week, just a quick flush through the pot. They bloom well, seem happy, with loads of aerial roots.

[Dollythehun]

Mine are in medium bark. Four times a week would be a lot for me to pour through but, the larger ones seem to like to be wetter. I think we are mostly on the same page as I tend to underwater.

[Salixx]

I can only keep my oncidiums happy in semi-hydro, where they send a ton of roots down into the water reservoir.