Potting advice needed.

[Sandy4453]

Advice on potting this Onc. that I'm receiving today will be most appreciated. The only Onc.'s that I've had any success with so far have been Toulimnias, Sweet Sugar and Carnival Costume.

Can you please advise what you think would be the best potting medium for Oncidium. J.C. Terry 'Incensesation'? I'm going to be keeping this on the patio, high, indirect light until springtime.

Thanks for whatever growing tips you provide!

Here's a pic of what I'm getting, not in bloom....yet!

[Sandy4453]

[camille1585]

I saw your post before, but wasn't sure what to answer since I never heard of this particular plant! If your other oncidiums are doing good in the mix they are in, why not repot this one in them same mix as them? That's what I would do I think.

Sorry that I can't be of more help!

[Becky15349]

Hey! Sorry I missed this one, its a good valid question. I've been growing oncid alliance plants successfully in both regular bark media and hydroton (but hydroton is better, IMHO)for about 3 years, so here are my tips:

1. If you have hydroton on hand and don't mind keeping the plant out of high intense sun for a while, I'd recommend repotting into hydroton.
2. Hydroton is an excellent media for oncids because it delivers more even humidity to the roots, and the fine texture of oncid roots really seem to love to grow big and strong between the hydroton pebbles.
3. If you opt to use a bark media, I think it can be a little more fine - oncids like more evenly humid conditions than catts, for example, so I think using something that will hold more moisture will benefit them in the long run. I don't have any brand names of bark media to suggest at the moment because I grow 100% in S&H right now, but I'm sure others will pipe in with suggestions.
4. After you repot (regardless of which media you choose) keep the plant in a low-light environment for at least a week...up to 3-4 weeks if you repot into hydroton, because it will need to initiate new roots suitable for living in hydroton.
5. Oncids are thin-leaved and like medium light. I would recommend an eastern exposure window, but if you have southern or western, that would work too, just keep the humidity up and a fan on them so their leaves don't burn. They don't need as much sun as catts.
6. Mist the plant daily to keep humidity up.

Those are suggestions that have worked for me - if others have more ideas, that would be great to hear! Good luck with your plant, it looks awesome!! Oncids are so fun to grow - they have never let me down, and they usually have a nice scent when placed in direct sunlight for a brief period!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by camille1585

If your other oncidiums are doing good in the mix they are in, why not repot this one in them same mix as them? That's what I would do I think.

Sorry that I can't be of more help!

Camille, I agree with sticking to what works. I've just done some wrong things with them in the past and want to avoid it this time. I think my problem is more with the Beallaras and Milt crosses (e.g., Miltassias) that I've lumped (all) into the same cultural requirements that's gotten me into trouble. Thanks for your input!

Originally Posted by Becky15349

Hey! Sorry I missed this one, its a good valid question. I've been growing oncid alliance plants successfully in both regular bark media and hydroton (but hydroton is better, IMHO)for about 3 years.....

Becky, thank you too for this broad explanation you've given. I'm a big fan of hydroton too...use it on all my Catts. They love it and have gotten outstanding results ... with Catts...I wasn't as lucky using it on my Miltassia or Beallara and I think, I'm confusing all these intergenerics by assuming one growing requirement for all (medium, included) which, is where I was badly mistaking. I think I've decided to go with tree fern fibers, something I've yet to use straight for onc.'s. Thanks again for your suggestions. I really appreciate your comments.

[Becky15349]

Sure! You're right, they may not be quite as similar to oncids as I'd like to think...I'm always way too simple-minded for all these classifications, I tell ya! I wish I had time to study them all!

[camille1585]

What do you have your Beallara potted in? I have mine in fine bark, but it's struggling. It needs to be repotted soon (once it finishes blooming) so I'm searching for other possible mixes. I know we don't have the same climates, but I'm interested in knowing what works for you for that particular plant.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by camille1585

What do you have your Beallara potted in? I have mine in fine bark, but it's struggling. It needs to be repotted soon (once it finishes blooming) so I'm searching for other possible mixes. I know we don't have the same climates, but I'm interested in knowing what works for you for that particular plant.

Well Camille, the last time I potted it, was in the dumpster....just 2 weeks ago. Losing this one hurt, more than any others I've lost. See pic below and you'll understand why! What I did wrong with this one was keeping it in much too high temps and also, didn't have it in direct cross air ventilation which it so direly needed. BUT, before I screwed up so badly, I had it potted in bark with a little coir added. I cut the bark pieces smaller than the medium size I bought but not as small as seedling mix...somewhere in the middle of the two. It loved it, just hated the temps and suffocation I allowed.

Good luck with yours. They're exquisite plants. Here's a pic of mine, in happier times, may it rest in peace.

Beallara Patricia McCully 'Pacific Matriarch'

[Brooke]

Sandy I grow most my oncidium family, including the beallara in s/h and they love it.

I never had one problem with a decline with the switch but just the opposite, they grew like weeds. They grow in the same light as my catts in the middle of the g/h, not even close to the cooler wall.

I'm moving the rest of them to s/h when they are finished blooming.

Brooke

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Well Camille, the last time I potted it, was in the dumpster....just 2 weeks ago. Losing this one hurt, more than any others I've lost. See pic below and you'll understand why! What I did wrong with this one was keeping it in much too high temps and also, didn't have it in direct cross air ventilation which it so direly needed. BUT, before I screwed up so badly, I had it potted in bark with a little coir added. I cut the bark pieces smaller than the medium size I bought but not as small as seedling mix...somewhere in the middle of the two. It loved it, just hated the temps and suffocation I allowed.

Good luck with yours. They're exquisite plants. Here's a pic of mine, in happier times, may it rest in peace.

Beallara Patricia McCully 'Pacific Matriarch'

I'm sorry to hear it died It was so gorgeous! At least you will have learned from your mistakes, and if you do get another one (which you should ), you will know what NOT to do!