Need Opinion on whether to repot Oncidium Twinkle
 

I have not had Oncidiums before. I only acquired this plant on 3/4/16. I have watered and fertilized with 8-4-8 exactly once since then (this was all within the same watering). So I don't think I have had the chance to do anything to it yet except maybe put it in too much light (not sure). It's getting light from my balcony and I close the blinds partway when the light starts shining directly so the plant is not exposed to it. Temps vary from 68-72. The only other thing I can think of is that I used tap water, but I don't think it would have that effect after one go.

It is flowering, so I didn't really want to repot it until after it was done. But the yellow and brown part where the plant meets the media worries me. It looks like it might have root problems. I have seen something similar on a Dracula before and the roots were all rotted.

Should I wait or repot? It's possible this damage was already there and I just didn't notice it.

I would suggest, enjoy the flowers and wait until it has stopped blooming. The brown stuff was probably there before. Orchids don't do anything fast. If the roots are bad, when you repot, new growth will produce new roots. The somewhat shriveled p-bulbs suggest that they don't have a lot of roots (so the plant is running on reserves) If it came in that pot with the saucer, it probably did stay wet for too long - saucers are bad news, unless you drain the plant really, really well before putting it back in it. Spring, with new growth, is coming soon, so for now, relax and enjoy the flowers.

I will keep my eye on it then. Just to make sure it doesn't get any worse. This is not obvious in the pic, but the saucer detaches from the pot. So I'm hoping this means that it dries ok at least for now. I could try to stick a moisture meter in there and check...

Well, if I ever suspect fungus, I spray with an all out fungicide like Mancozeb.

Oncs do tend to die back a bit with the leaves, just keep an eye on it. I would hit it wth fungicide, because it has never caused me a problem but it has probably saved me from some problems.

A saucer to protect the countertop if the plant is well drained before putting in on one - just don't let any water sit in it. When I had to grow orchids in the house (the spare bedroom was my "greenhouse" I got plastic bins from a big-box store, and topped them with so-called "egg crate" light diffuser (a plastic grid with 1/4"/0.5 cm holes) that came from Home Depot. There was plenty of volume for the plants to drain into, and air circulation around them. Something to think about.

Take the saucer for the pot, and put another saucer that is a bit smaller upside down into the large saucer then sit the orchid on the upside down saucer. It protects surfaces and allows clean drainage.

Updates:
I think it is draining ok. In fact, I checked it out and it was too dry. :shock: Which is really unusual for me because of my tendency to overwater. I also noticed that it probably hadn't been watered enough in the past. So as soon as this is done flowering I'm switching it to something more water retentive. For now, I will just have to water it more often. This was also confirmed by dry leaves literary falling off upon contact.

I am still worried about the roots though, but for the opposite reason now. That they are dried out and dead.

Oncidiums get into a lot more trouble with not enough water rather than too much. This is in contrast to Phalaenopsis and Cattleya, which get into a lot more trouble with too much water.

I think large bark is only suitable for Oncidiums in high-humidity climates with owners who can water every day, if needed.

I have quite a few oncidiums and two twinkles. ES is correct about the watering. They like to be evenly moist but, not soggy. I water mine 2x a week depending on the temp and brightness. What I notice is the bark looks degraded and salty. If it were mine, I would take it to the sink and flush it well. Then feel the weight of it. When it starts to feel light, water again. I use medium bark, like you find in Better Grow mix. If you are a chronic underwaterer, chop up a little spag to go with it. Or, bil, I think, puts a couple of small balls of spag in the pot with the bark. I also use clay...It is hard to overwater clay and bark. Just my 2cents.

Yeah, I figure it acts as a moisture reserve while air can get in easily thru the pure fine bark.