Repot newbie - Orchid Board

birdbrain · #1 06-02-2018, 06:11 PM

Hi friends, I just bought this from Lowe’s it was in the clearance section. I paid $5. Time to buy right? She looks a little haggarded but I’m hoping I can make her happy again. she is an intergenetic orchid according to the the tag. I think definitely needs to be repotted blooms are dead, dry. Any advice? Thank you....B

rbarata · #2 06-02-2018, 06:17 PM

If possible give us some photos of the medium and visible roots (if any).

Thanks

Roberta · #3 06-02-2018, 08:57 PM

Probably an Oncidium intergeneric. I think I can guarantee that it needs repotting. I would suggest small bark. These need quite a bit more water than Phalaenopsis.

Dollythehun · #4 06-02-2018, 09:15 PM

And more light. With good light and small bark, it will be hard to overwater.

birdbrain · #5 06-03-2018, 01:08 AM

Thank you so much. I want yall to know IF it weren't for y'all I wouldn't have got her. I count on your knowledge and I really appreciate the time yall take to answer my questions. I'm going to switch to my iPhone takes better pics.....B.... BRB

---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

I’m back🤓 I hope y’all will be able to see the pics details.

birdbrain · #6 06-03-2018, 01:13 AM

birdbrain · #7 06-03-2018, 01:22 AM

One more pic

birdbrain · #8 06-03-2018, 01:23 AM

Thanks again😗

estación seca · #9 06-03-2018, 09:05 PM

Two general concepts I'll address.

First, I think the plant looks very much worse than the others seem to think. It's in old sphagnum moss that is breaking down, and that is probably suffocating the roots. I would be surprised if there are any good roots left.

Sphagnum moss is fine for Oncidiums if you know how to use it. The key is to keep it evenly moist rather than soaking wet. If kept moist it retains air spaces. If kept soaking wet there is no air, and the roots rot.

I would take it out of this container immediately and repot into something else. If you are comfortable with using new long-fiber sphagnum moss, that would be fine. A lot of people use fine bark.

I would not cut off any roots. I can't tell for certain which are alive. If the plant is to survive it will begin making new growth, which will begin forming new root.

The second suggestion... don't buy near-dead cheap plants until you have a lot more experience, and can tell which ones are likely to make it. It's not worth your time and money. Buy healthy plants when you are a beginner.

birdbrain · #10 06-04-2018, 01:10 PM

Thank you Estaci’on Seca, I’ve repotted her yesterday much to my surprise the roots looked amazingly good. The Sphagnum miss was terribly mushy water logged. I took my time and with bamboo skewer lightly “tosseled” the old moss out. I repotted in small bark and Sphagnum. She looks almost happy definitely overall better. Thanks again for your aid....B