Repotting oncidium alliance question

[james mickelso]

Oncidiums don't suffer root rot as readily as other species of orchids. They likme to be kept damp. What I do is put more lava rock (foam peanuts work well too) under the old center of the plant to help it dry as fast as the outer parts. As long as you try to keep it damp and not wet, you will do fine. So when replanting, mound up some gravel, lava rock, or foam peanuts under the center. Works like a champ.

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Oncidiums don't suffer root rot as readily as other species of orchids. They likme to be kept damp. What I do is put more lava rock (foam peanuts work well too) under the old center of the plant to help it dry as fast as the outer parts. As long as you try to keep it damp and not wet, you will do fine. So when replanting, mound up some gravel, lava rock, or foam peanuts under the center. Works like a champ.

A good tip. Mine always rot in the middle, I'm going to try this.

Maureen

[orchidsarefun]

I have noticed that there are differences amongst this group when it comes to root growth. When repotting take a look at the depth the roots have grown to. A tell-tale sign is more roots outside the pot than in. For those types try and pot in a shallower but wider pot . A bonsai or bulb pot is good - I got that idea from an OB person, can't remember who. Please own up if you read this !
The downside is that you will have to water more often.
Another trick is to wrap the outside of the pot with sphagnum and place pot and sphagnum in a larger pot. Keep sphagnum moist and this will cool the plant roots. This group generally prefers cooler temperatures in Summer and the water evaporating off the moss helps.

[Lagoon]

I've had many oncidiums over the years now (much fewer) I would grow them in peatmoss with large corse rok. I would tend to focus in the middle area and add alot of perlite there to prevent any sorta rot issues. They grow fast with lots of spikes, they loved the moisture and I loved not having to water it only every few days.

They're very tough plants and can take drying out, but IMO they tend to prefer higher moisture levels and grow faster this way.

Sphagnum moss works well too. Just make sure they get good drainage. Airation & good drainage is the key to keep the roots healthy long term