Bought a new orchid today - Onc Twinkle

[rbarata]

Guess this one is not new to most of you.

Onc. Twinkle: Oncidium cheirophorum x Oncidium sotoanum

I can provide all the right conditions to it but, at this moment, it must be in an isolated place away from the "general population". This temporaty place suffers from low HR so, while it's there, I must water it more often.
Do you think it would benefit from a saucer with some water (just a little) only to counteract the effects of low humidity?

The plant seems in good condition, in a pot aprox 2,5" in diameter and I'm not planning to repot it 'cause the medium seems recent (seems to be only coconut fiber).
It already dropped the oldest flowers but there are some more about to bloom. It also has a vigourous looking new growth.
This was the only red one (which was what I wanted), all the rest were white.

[DeaC]

I've known these to be quite fragrant. Mine always got scaly and wiping with alcohol kept things ok for awhile. The saucer idea can't hurt. BTW,they also come in yellow.

[NYCorchidman]

I love this little hybrid. They smell nice too.

You don't need to worry about the low humidity unless it is to a point where you have problem breathing. lol
Then probably run a humidifier, but orchids are tougher than you think, and while indoor lower humidity is not the best for them, they will still be fine. at least for hobby growing.

Also, I wouldn't water more often necessarily.
Regardless of the air humidity, watering should be done in a way that the potting mix does not stay wet all the time, which will quickly kill off the roots.

Instead, make sure the pot does not go bone dry too long. Once you figure out the watering interval, stick to it.

I used to have all three colors of this plant. White, yellow, and pink.
Yellow is my favorite!

[Dollythehun]

Rbarata, what a cutie!!! I often leave a dab of water in my saucers. It doesn't seem to wick up the bark but, it does keep them cooler, I think. Of course, I pot in clay. I think Shannon does the same...

[Pattywack]

Such a nice looking plant, I love the color as well. I've never had a twinkle though I do have a cheirophorum with tiny yellow blooms, they smell like Ivory soap.

I wouldn't worry about the humidity either, these guys are tough. Congratulations on the new plant!

[estación seca]

Coconut fiber is famous for retaining more water than people might wish. I would not stand an Oncidium in coconut fiber in a dish of water.

[Dollythehun]

ES may be correct about that coconut fiber, I glossed over that fact. I noticed his week, as the temps got higher that mine were drying rapidly in bark. I actually added some coconut chips when I repotted a fallen oncidium and I used a glazed pot (never seem to have what you need when you need it). Normally, they would go outside but, I do not want to deal with bugs. But my Twinkles seem tough.

[rbarata]

Thanks for the inputs.
So I won't leave it on a saucer with water. But the por is so small and the HR is so low that I'll need to water it at least twice a week. Temps are now starting to rise to the lower 90's so I must be really careful.
I think I'll put the pot on top of a layer of absorvent kitchen paper wet in water. It will refresh the roots and provide some humidity (as well as some evaporative cooling). Or maybe I'll wrap the pot in that paper and wet it.

Do you think this is ok?

[Dollythehun]

Rbarata! I water at least twice a week and I live in the midwest! Try soaking it instead of pouring through. I've folded a paper towel under them. My problem is never overwatering...

[rbarata]

I water at least twice a week and I live in the midwest!

How are your temps and HR? And your pot size is as small as mine?