Reddish-brown streaks on pseudobulbs
 

I have a newly required Oncidium. It is presently in a west window that receives dappled (winter-time) sunlight, so it is not direct or intense.
Anyway, I have noticed reddish-brown streaks on the pseudobulbs.

Is this normal? Too much light? Too wet?

Just want to be on the right track when it comes to caring for this orchid.

Thanks
Ian

If they are NOT soft and mushy, they are just normal colorations. My Brassias do that as well.

The bulbs are firm and the plant appears to be healthy. I was just worried that this may be the start of something I could correct if needed.

Thanks for the speedy response.

Ian

Just watch the brown areas. I have several much larger than yours and they are OK. It might be sort of like bark on woody plants? :scratchhead: In any case doesn't seem to stop it from blooming.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks again
Ian

If it's on older back bulbs then it's just a normal process of the bulb dying off. The plant will still use those back bulbs in case of emergency.

Hi Terri,

Are you saying that the back bulbs are finished (never to flower again and will eventually die and must be removed and that a new (fresh) pseudobulb is required for flowering?
You will have to excuse my ignorance, since I am relatively new to growing orchids.
I have read alot and surfed the net, but I find that most information is not very specific.

Thanks
Ian

Don't appologize Ian! We're all still learning here. :)

Yes on most Onc. alliance plants you will get one bloom per Pbulb and then it's done. Sometimes you'll get lucky and have two spikes per bulb. They bloom from the new growth. That's why we get so excited when we see new growths!:biggrin: The back bulbs don't need to be removed. They are still nourishing the plant and will eventually shrivel up to nothing when the plant's done with it. Sometimes there is a dormant "eye" on backbulbs that will generate a new growth if the plant is stressed or thinks it's dying.

Hi Terri,

I understand now, thank you for clarifying this to me.

Ian