Pseudobulb on my Oncidium is shriveled?

[lichanura]

I purchased a mature flowering Oncidium this weekend and notice that the pseudobulb is very full and smooth whereas the ones on my very young and immature Oncidium are shriveled. Do I need to water more?

[fishmom]

I would say yes, and also the bark you are using is pretty large and chunky for an oncidium. Do you have roots yet on that healthy new growth? Does the old bulb have any roots? Without active roots, the plant cannot take up much water, so humidity becomes very important.



Oncidiums like plenty of water, so the plant should not dry out. Are you watering often enough to insure that does not happen?

[JScott]

I think in a medium that coarse, when the new roots start growing on the new growth, they're going to have a hard time getting down deep enough where it's moist, and they grow a little bit and then stop. I use fine bark for my Oncidiums, but anything that holds moisture would work. For your plant, at the very least I would put a layer of sphagnum moss on the surface of the pot. This will keep moisture closer to the base of the plant where the new roots will start to grow, and will help them along. And if you're not watering every day, you're probably not watering enough.

[camille1585]

Ditto everything above. I would repot in a finer bark mix, in a smaller pot, and start watering more often. Don't expect those shriveled bulbs to plump up again, they're too far gone. Instead, watch the new growth (seems to be one on the right?). If the leaves growing on it start pleating, then you're not watering enough.

[lichanura]

Great info from all three of you. I truly appreciate it.