Repotting my Onc.
 

Hi everyone,
I've never repotted an onc. that is growing over the side of the pot, so how do you advise I do this? It's been 3 yrs. since I repotted the plant because I've been leary that moving up a pot size would be too large for the root mass. The container that it's in now is comparable to the width of a 6" pot.

I would appreciate your help,
Vicki

Not an expert, but I suppose I would divide the bulb mass into two and repot them separately.

Wild Orchid
 

I don't know how to divide...I wish I did. I've never been brave enough to try. This might be a good time to learn. (??)

Thanks for your reply and advice,
Vicki

Wow~ the potting mix looks almost new. can't believe it is three years old! lol

By the way, dividing can be done in more than one way considering how big your plant is.
If you want to rather keep the plant big as is, I would just cut the part that is "walking out" of the pot.
To ensure quick recovery, you want to always include minimum 3-4 pbs per division.
You can used a very sharp knife and make a cut at the base between the pbs.
Apply fungicide or sulfur powder if you have one, if not, just let it dry out. Some people use cinnamon powder, or I sometimes seal up the cut wound with a clear nail polish.

The part that is walking out is a leading growth and should have no problem reestablishing itself when divided and repotted.

The rest of the plant, you can divide further into smaller parts or keep the whole thing as is.
Either way, it will grow normally, although the part that does not have any actively growing lead might take some time until some dormant eyes wake up and start going.

Good luck!

NYCorchidman
 

The potting mix doesn't look bad to me, either.

As for dividing, it's really past time that I learn how then take my first shot at it, so that's what I plan to do...especially now that I have read your reply.

I would, indeed, like to keep the plant as large as possible...but not so much that I would need to repot the larger section in a pot too large for the plant. I hope to be able to remove only the section growing over the pot edge.

Would you divide and repot now-soon after blooming? If not, when? Normally, I try to repot sometime in the Spring if poss., but I have read that it is best to divide in the fall ?? What are your thoughts and advice about this? (I hope you don't mind another question.)

Thanks for your reply and help,
Vicki

The best time to divide is any time there is active growth.

Yours looks to me like a yellow dancing lady? You can divide any time of the year for that one. It basically grows year around. lol

You can cut just the part that is walking out of the pot, and that pb alone will go on with life. The time it will take to reestablish might take longer though.
If you can, I recommend cut it off along with two or three more older pbs attached to it.

NYCorchidman
 

Thanks again!
Vicki


QUOTE=NYCorchidman;640042]The best time to divide is any time there is active growth.

Yours looks to me like a yellow dancing lady? You can divide any time of the year for that one. It basically grows year around. lol

You can cut just the part that is walking out of the pot, and that pb alone will go on with life. The time it will take to reestablish might take longer though.
If you can, I recommend cut it off along with two or three more older pbs attached to it.[/QUOTE]

Or you can leave the "walking" part in tact and cut the mass at the back end. Look for the oldest growth that can be cut off. Cut enough back bulbs to make a good mass of it's own to pot up. Cut enough back bulbs so that the new growth is in the middle of the pot. The old part will be stimulated to put out multiple new leads and the newer part will also be stimulated to put out new growth from the older bulbs. Oncidium alliance likes to be crowded and have all the old bulbs it can get for support. Too few pbulbs will set back the next blooming.

James Mickelson
 

Thanks for the option, James! Please cross your fingers for me since this will be my first time to divide.
Vicki

Don't be nervous. It's very easy. But.....make sure you wash your hands before starting. Clean the pot and all materials you use. Put down a couple sheets of newspaper on your bench. When you make the cut, cauterize the wound with cinnamon powder or use peroxide on the wound area. When I cut apart my oncids or catts, I wait a day to let the plant heal itself and even then I put cinnamon powder on the wound. I use a clean new razor to make the cut. Once in the pot with media I wait a day before watering. Anything to let the plant heal. Go back to the thread about fusarium wilt posted yesterday I think. There's a nice video that may help you over come your nervousness and shows you how easy it is.