Oncidium Gower Ramsey Repot Job - Orchid Board

EDDIE · #1 10-22-2011, 12:57 PM

Hi guys,

I purchased this onc. a few days ago at Lowe's it was packed in moss and the pseudobulb with the spike was an aerial pseudobulb. I know that one shouldn't repot when in spike, but I was really afraid not too. Can someone tell me if I did this properly (go easy on me, please....lol, this is the first onc. I've ever repotted). In the first pic, the clear pot is what it came out of, I put the oldest growth to the back; I realize a couple of the pb's may be a little deeper in the medium than what they should be; however, I wanted to get that aerial pb with the spike as close to on top of the medium as I could. The last two pictures are rear views of the oldest growths; there you will see where they are a little deeper in the medium. All of the roots were in very good condition and they filled the entire pot, but there is room above the medium for some new growth, so hopefully I did pretty good on this. I appreciate your input

Thanks,

Eddie

Gage · #2 10-22-2011, 05:27 PM

Placement looks perfect! But I'm not sure about the bark mix. My Oncidiums are tricky (maybe it's just me), they seem to want to stay moist for at least a couple of days, then dry out about 75% before watering again. The newest roots, which are usually near the surface of the medium, seem to like it moist. But the only way I can accomplish this without rotting the lower roots is by potting with chc/charcoal mix and putting hydroton or chunky charcoal in the bottom half. Otherwise the bottom will always be moist and eventually rot the roots. It's just my 2 cents from my experience. Maybe mine were overpotted before? Anyway, yours will probably be fine.

Best of luck!

Junebug · #3 10-22-2011, 06:01 PM

Aerial bulbs can complicate repots, but I think you did a fine job.

Daethen · #4 10-22-2011, 06:13 PM

Looks just great to me.

Bud · #5 10-22-2011, 06:47 PM

I see nothing wrong with the repot...but since you did it on a coarse media, then you need to spritz it every morning and water it soaking every other day in the sink till it drains...that plant wants moisture...I have those kind of orchid on S/H so I dont have to deal with overwatering

EDDIE · #6 10-22-2011, 07:36 PM

Thanks everyone for your input!

EDDIE · #7 10-22-2011, 07:42 PM

This probably isn't the forum for this but what exactly is semi-hydroponics? The area in which I live is rather limited when it comes to orchid mediums and the only thing I have ever used is bag bark that you get at Lowe's or Home Depot...I'm interested in trying it, if it will help my oncidiums...

Thanks,
Eddie

WhiteRabbit · #8 10-22-2011, 10:56 PM

Repot looks great

I'd use a skewer in the media to help determine when to water - agree that this one probably does not want to dry out inbetween waterings.

Ray has good info on S/H on his site
First Rays' "Semi-Hydroponic - TM" Culture

I grow Oncidiums mostly in coconut husk chips, tho have a couple in bark, and in the past used bark, and they do fine for me that way