potting media for oncidium ampliatum - Orchid Board

EDDIE · #1 09-29-2011, 07:55 PM

Recently I purchased an onc. ampliatum from lowes; it is in sphagnum. I realize it is fall and generally that is not the time of year to repot; however I feel like I really need to get it out of this sphagnum, but I don't really know what kind of potting media to repot it in...

I have seedling bark mix with perlite in it, fine tree fern bark and today I bought some very small lava rock. My house stays quite cool at night (60-65 degrees) and that moss gets cold and Im afraid to leave it as is. I have it setting in a southern exposure where it gets bright light almost all day (indirect) and my day time temps are probably around 70-75

Can someone please tell me what to repot this in; I think it may even have a spike or another growth, can't tell yet. I posted a thread in the oncidium forum a few days ago with pics, but no one has responded. I thought about doing a mix of seedling bark with lava rock and maybe charcoal. Can someone please help???

Thanks!

Eddie

Gage · #2 09-29-2011, 07:59 PM

I say go for the lava rock, unless you think it might keep the roots too cold. Depends on where you are growing it. If you think it will stay warm enough, lava rock can be great because it's really hard to overwater. I'm sure others will have thoughts too. Have fun!

Bud · #3 09-29-2011, 08:44 PM

I have one of my onc in S/H ...but most of it is in Lava rock, coco chip, charcoal and hydroton...you are right with your instinct that moss will kill your plant in your growing area (zone 7a)
soak it well so you dont damage the roots and make sure that you take out the ball of moss under the root...that is the culprit(it stays wet even as the bottom and the top layer is dry...it usually starts root rot) they usually pack it tight that the roots cant breathe...
good luck and good growing!

glengary54 · #4 09-29-2011, 09:28 PM

Eddie - Your Onc ampliatum, now known as Chelyorchis ampliata, hates wet, soggy roots, it needs a media that will drain freely and dry quickly. In my opinion, fine bark is too water retentive, I would go with a medium bark mix with perlite and charcoal. It enjoys very high light level and during the winter wants to go dry for longer than normal, short of dessicating the leaves of bulbs. I would also with hold fertilzer during the winter and not start fertilizing again until the new growth starts in the spring. Your winter temps are a bit cooler than is normal for its habit but should not be an issue if you follow the reduced watering suggested.

Hope this helps, sorry for not seeing your earlier post. Good Luck, it's one of my favorite Oncidium/Chelyorchis species, tons of flowers on a small plant.

EDDIE · #5 09-29-2011, 09:52 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses...

Eddie

Lagoon · #6 09-29-2011, 10:10 PM

Eddie, I've got mine in cocochips, corse perlite and a bit of charcoal. Its moist and free draining.

PS -- I didn't see you're other thread.

EDDIE · #7 09-30-2011, 07:43 AM

Again, thanks for everyones responses...I have an idea, please tell me what you think: I have some Fafard potting mix (for use with phals. catts. cymbs. onc. and bromeliads) that contains fir bark, chopped coir and large perlite. I picked out the large pieces of bark, everything else is small to medium in size, not very big. I thought about mixing this with lava rock; I also thought about putting in some charcoal as well...what are your thoughts on this??? Thanks...

Eddie

kavanaru · #8 09-30-2011, 07:47 AM

I would say this species would grow better mounted! not only the shape ofthe plant itself, but also besause it likes it actually on the dry side. This plant grows on trees in regions with very differentiate seasonal periods: very dry and hot & hot with strong rains, but drying out very quick!

Jim.Leaman · #9 09-30-2011, 07:41 PM

Sphagnum work quite well how if it stays wet all the time it's time for a change. I have them on slabs of cedar, New Zeeland moss and bark. Your temp in fine, but make sure your humidity is above 60%

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDDIE

Recently I purchased an onc. ampliatum from lowes; it is in sphagnum. I realize it is fall and generally that is not the time of year to repot; however I feel like I really need to get it out of this sphagnum, but I don't really know what kind of potting media to repot it in...

I have seedling bark mix with perlite in it, fine tree fern bark and today I bought some very small lava rock. My house stays quite cool at night (60-65 degrees) and that moss gets cold and Im afraid to leave it as is. I have it setting in a southern exposure where it gets bright light almost all day (indirect) and my day time temps are probably around 70-75

Can someone please tell me what to repot this in; I think it may even have a spike or another growth, can't tell yet. I posted a thread in the oncidium forum a few days ago with pics, but no one has responded. I thought about doing a mix of seedling bark with lava rock and maybe charcoal. Can someone please help???

Thanks!

Eddie

EDDIE · #10 09-30-2011, 09:59 PM

well guys, I broke down and repotted it this evening. I used that mix I was telling you about with some lava rock and charcoal. I hope it works and does well

When I removed all of that sphagnum it turned out to be two individual growths, so I repotted both of them in smaller pots, the last two of the same growth is kinda top heavy; hope these will establish and grow well! Also, I might add, I was quite surprised to see that the roots were all healthy, I didn't have to remove any.

Eddie